From the Front Porch: The Derby Edition
Happy Thursday from the front porch, sweet friends and welcome to The Derby Edition.
Thanks so much for being here and for making us a part of your day!
Late last week I was up at 2 am changing our calendars over from April to May because I couldn’t sleep and as I stepped back to make sure everything was in order I immediately realized Maycember is no joke.
Don’t get me wrong, I heavily lean into lists to keep us organized this time of year.
Sometimes though I still find myself fretting over things in the early morning hours.
“How am I going to get all this done?”
“Is the milestone birthday gift I bought good enough?”
“What time is the lacrosse game? The dance recital? Graduation? The Cinco de Mayo party?”
“Do we have milk?”
Truly, I could go on.
While there will be lots of things that happen this month that we have no control over, there are plenty of things we can do to make this time of year a bit easier.
We can:
- Make decisions now before the hustle and bustle of the month really begins.
- Control the way our home feels.
- Shop for special occasion gifts and events early.
- Schedule hair and nail appointments now and a spa appointment to celebrate making it through a wild and crazy month later.
- Decide on teachers’ gifts that are thoughtful yet quick and easy.
- Embrace simple and uncomplicated meals.
- Create and maintain healthy boundaries.
- Prioritize sleep and self-care.
- Say no to the things we feel obligated to do, to make room for the things we’re really excited about.
- Give ourselves and each other lots of grace because the memories we’re making now will last a lifetime.
Cheering you on as you take one day at a time.
A Few of our Favorite Posts From Around the Web This Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- The interior of this 18th century rectory from House & Garden UK is such a pretty representation of classic English style.
- Do you follow The Glam Pad? I love their blog because they introduce readers to unique designers, brands, and decorating ideas. The Design Crush series is one of my favorites.
- This back patio makeover from Julia Berolzheimer is so beautiful it has me all kinds of excited for summer.
Seasonal Inspiration:
- Carol from Bluesky at Home made the prettiest Kentucky Derby Door Hanger.
- Wait until you see all the easy DIY Derby party decorations, Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse made. I’m losing it in the best possible way over the napkin rings!
- Jen from Midwest Life and Style shares lots of tips and tricks in her post, How to Throw the Best Kentucky Derby Party.
- Donna from an Organized Season has some unique Derby Party ideas as well. The jockey silks she made were so fun and festive.
- I know some of you are planning now for your Christmas in July projects so I wanted to share this Equestrian Inspired Chirstmas Living Room Tour from Sarah of Room for Tuesday. She is super talented and has such an elegant way of putting things together.
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- How to Discern Between a Hobby and a Calling (by Rachel G Scott via Propel Women)
- This post, The Ultimate Productivity Hack is Saying No by James Clear is a great reminder if you’re already overwhelmed by your calendar this month.
- If you’ve always wondered how caffeine affects your sleep this post and video, Is Caffeine Ruining Your Sleep, from the Sleep Foundation has the answers.
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- Stacie Flinner had a truly gorgeous Americana baby shower. (Don’t miss this one Mom!)
- If you’re traveling to Europe anytime soon, Alyson Hayley put together a fabulous post, 15 Outfit Ideas for a Spring Vacation to Europe filled with really beautiful ideas.
- The Best Places In The World To Retire via CN Traveler (some of these really surprised me)
Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:
- There’s no way to talk about equestrian style without including Ralph Lauren. I love everything in the Equestrian Collection.
- Speaking of which, I can’t stop thinking about this Longchamp raffia tote.
- Have you seen the Vineyard Vines x Kentucky Derby Collection yet? It’s a fun one.
- Lisi Lerch has a fabulous collection of equestrian inspired gift ideas too!
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Recently, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Kentucky Derby Inspired Tablescape
The Easiest Way to Revive Vintage Flatware and Tarnished Trophies
How to Create the Look of a Vintage Inspired Trophy
You can find last week’s From the Front Porch: Mother’s Day Edition here, if you missed it…
Equestrian 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 to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
- Jumpsuit (comes in lots of colors and would be easy to wear for gradution banquets or summer bbqs)
- Book (have and love this book so much)
- Riding Hat Napkin Ring (totally obsessed with these!)
- Houndstooth Napkins (love the print and they come in other colors too)
- Horse Bit Earrings (a fun way to add equestrian style to your wardrobe)
- Green Dress (comes in lots of pretty colors)
- Plate (I’m pretty sure my Mom is going to scoop these up the minute she spots them)
- Mint Julep Cups (great for mint juleps or to use as flower vases)
- Lamp (an easy way to incorporate blue and white into your home)
- Espadrilles (a summer style staple)
- Midi Dress (comes in lots of pretty colors)
- Wall Art (a budget friendly way to display horse art)
- Pillow Cover (my parents have and love)
- Sheet Set (comes in a variety of prints and has great reviews)
- Watch (a year round style staple)
- Navy Dress (comes in lots of pretty colors)
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
Another wonderful weekly wrap! We are sitting on pins and needles – so excited for your bedroom reveal! Enjoy your shopping time with Mom – and your festive weekend. We will be celebrating Jenn and her birthday as well as a Derby Party! Much love!!
I love this post. I can never get enough of equestrian style. It makes me so giddy. Hugs and blessings to you, my friend.
No playing, Renae, my Mom called this morning and said the exact same thing. I tell ya there’s just something about equestrian style that is so elegant and classy. It warms my heart to see this post resonate the way it has and I really appreciate your sweet words. Hope you have the best weekend, CoCo
Hi CoCo! I can’t believe Derby is this Saturday! It’s such a fun time! We miss all of the festivities surrounding the Run for the Roses! So, I enjoyed seeing all of your equestrian-themed posts! Thanks for including my Derby Party ideas! I can’t wait to check out your other links! Have a wonderful week!
It is wild to me how fast this year is flying by, Donna. I just can’t get over it. Plus, can you believe it’s their 150th anniversary? I’m so excited for all the festivities. Thanks so much for letting me share your party ideas, they were fantastic. I’m still not over the silks! Big hugs, CoCo
I can’t believe it is May! And yes, I’m feeling the “Maycember” effect over here…hopefully, things will slow down a tiny bit once school is out for summer.
Thank you so much for sharing my Derby party. I appreciate it!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I definitely hope things slow down for you too, Jen. I know your girls are in lots of activities with school and sports. It’s such a gift for you to cheer them on and make as much time for them as you do. My Mom did the same and she is our world! Hugs, CoCo
Coco
Happy Kentucky Derby Weekend. Thank you for sharing my DIY derby post. You are the best.
You are so welcome, Rachel! I’m obsessed in the best possible way with your Debry posts. They were so much fun! Hugs, CoCo
I love all of your equestrian decor! It is adorable! I’m ready to watch the Kentucky Derby today! If I had your cute tablescape, I’d probably have to throw a little party!
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Susan, I really appreciate them. Someone asked me over the weekend how many years we’d been celebrating the Derby and it’s been so long I couldn’t ever remember not celebrating it. It’s just always been a day we’ve commemorated much like birthdays and the holidays. This year was definitely extra special though. That three horse photo finish was totally bananas! Sending you lots of hugs for the happiest week, CoCo
I’m like you and find myself fretting over little things in the early morning hours that I can’t do anything about at the time. This post had so many wonderful suggestions, I’ll fill my head with some of this design ideas for me to think about the next time I can’t sleep.
Speak to my heart, Karen. I just want to say to myself, “For the love, CoCo, you can’t change any of this – it’s 3 am” but there I lay just willing myself to fall back asleep. It can definitely be frustrating at times because sleep affects everything we do so instead of causing myself additional anxiety about the fact I’m not getting any sleep, I’m going to look at it as invitation to find what works. Cheering you on as you find your sleep sweet spot too! Big hugs, CoCo
Hey CoCo! Love your derby inspiration posts! Yes – I too wake up in the wee hours of the morning with my head full of things that need to be done. May is always a ridiculously busy month for us too. I have three moms to shop for, 4 birthdays to celebrate, graduations, and more. It’s nuts!! Thanks for the practical advice. I love the reminder to practice self care.
It sounds like you’re going to be celebrating all month, Anna! I’m excited for you – that’s a lot of things to look forward to in the month of May. Self care is important all year but most especially during busy seasons. I try to remind myself it doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy. Sometimes just slowing down long enough to clear my head, or read a few chapters of a book or take a long walk does wonders. Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
I also have issues with sleeping and wake in the middle of the night thinking of things I need to do. We need our sleep! 🙂 I loved your equestrian post, you have so Get rested up my friend!