From the Front Porch: The Travel Edition

Hello from the front porch, sweet friends, and welcome to The Travel Edition of this weekly series.

Thanks so much for being here today.

How are you?

Last year, we were at the grocery store shopping for supplies.

The kitchen at the cabin is small.

So, there’s really only room for essentials.

I was in one of the grocery store’s refrigerated coolers, balancing the heavy door on my hip while simultaneously standing on my toes trying to grab a bag of salad on the top shelf when I heard someone let out an extraordinarily heavy sigh.

Then I felt her grocery cart.

As I turned around, I realized I was pinned in the cooler, seconds away from full-on fight, flight, or freeze mode.

My only options were to sit down on the base of the salad shelf or to push the cart back out and hit the lady who had run into me.

Instead, I said, “Is there a problem?”

She paused a minute and sighed again.

“It’s not you,” she said, “It’s me.”  

“It seems like you’re having a hard day,” I replied.

“I am.”

“My husband just died.”

At this point, my shopping companion walked away in tears, and the people in the produce aisle stopped shopping completely.

I gently pushed the cart towards the lady, got out of the salad cooler, and said, “I’m so sorry to hear that; tell me what you need.”

“I don’t really know at this point,” she said stoically.

“I completely understand,” I replied, gently rubbing the side of her arm, thinking of my uncle who had unexpectedly passed away not even 48 hours earlier.  

“Since we’re in the salad section, let’s get you something healthy and easy for dinner, ok?”

“Ok,” she said.

And with that, I helped her find a few things for a simple meal.

When we finished, she burst into tears and said, “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I said. “I’m sorry you’re going through this. Grief is such a tough thing to navigate.”

“It’s the worst,” she replied.

“Hang in there,” I said as I gently rubbed her arm again, “It won’t always feel this way.”

And with that, we said our goodbyes.

The words “It won’t always feel this way” are from a soundtrack that has sustained me through hard times and one I try to pass along every chance I get.

While it acknowledges what we’re currently going through, it also offers a glimmer of hope that things will get better one day.

So, as we prepare to navigate a fresh month, I want you to remember those words and take extra special care of yourself.

After all, healing is a journey made up of small, gentle steps.

Let yourself feel what you need to feel, but also give yourself permission to hope.

You’re not alone.

As always, I’m cheering you on.

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

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:

• Have you seen this project from Bria Hammel Interiors yet? You can find their Indianapolis Project Reveal Part 1 here and Part 2 here. It’s so dreamy.
• Speaking of dreamy, this home tour from The Fox Group is amazing.
• I could get lost for hours in the Cottage Company’s portfolio.
• This home by Cindy McCarley Designs is so beautifully cozy I can hardly believe it’s in Utah!
• 26 Flowering Vines That Add Privacy and Color to Fences, Arbors and Trellises (via BHG)

Seasonal Inspiration:

• This cupholder gift idea from Ashley Huze is really creative.
• Speaking of creative, Anna from Sky Lark House made the cutest flowers.
• This was a pretty post from Cindy of Cloches and Lavender, How to Easily Add Summer Touches to Your Home.
• Swooning over this gorgeous tablescape from Shabbyfufu.
• Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse shared 20+ Summer Tablescape Ideas for Outdoor Dining, and they’re all so fun and festive.
• Did you know Ralph Lauren curated a stamp collection for the USPS? I can’t wait to get mine!

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• Easy Vacation Meals For Families to Save Money While Traveling (such a helpful post from Susan of Home with Grace and Joy)
• Healthy Summer Travel Hacks to Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable While Traveling (via Camille Styles)
• 99 Travel Hacks for Your Next Vacation (via The Good Trade)
• How to Do a Digital Spring Cleaning and Why You Should (via The Everymom)
• 5 Unexpected Ways to Finally Stop Procrastinating (this post via Fast Company was filled with helpful tips)
• The 10 Biggest Decluttering Lies (via No Sidebar)

Style and Travel Inspiration:

• Avoid These 21 Common Fashion Mistakes for a Stylish Wardrobe (via My Chic Obsession)
• 20 Staycation Ideas When You Need a Change of Scenery via (Travel + Leisure)
• The Best Museums in New York (via Veranda)

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…

A Quick and Easy Bon Voyage Gift Bag Idea

Our Favorite Travel Essentials

Antique Shopping in the North Georgia Mountains (and the goodies we brought home)

The Blessing I Almost Missed

How to Bring the Feeling of Vacation Home with You

Simple Ways to Be More Organized After a Trip

Shopping Notes…

(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)

• Dress (yes to dresses with longer sleeves, 25 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Tinted Moisturizer (I wear the color four, and it’s easy to use)
• Tote (additional colors available)
• Necklace (have and love, it goes with everything)
• Crop Top (35 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Polish Set (keeps my nails pretty for about 2 weeks)
• Cover Up (7 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Illuminating Gel (add a pump of this to your tinted moisturizer or foundation for a sunkissed glow)
• Cooler (so preppy)
• Studs (a budget-friendly pair I wear a lot, especially on vacation)
• Pillows (hoping to have these in every room, they’re so comfortable)
• Blush in Rosy (super easy to apply with your fingers or a brush)
• Top (works with lots of different bottoms,10 colors to choose from depending on size
• Eyeshadow Palette (a simple day-to-night palette)
• Pouches (I use these all the time, they’re easy to clean too)
• Duvet Set (14 colors to choose from depending on size, dying to find a spot for this)
• Fan (have and love, it’s great for hot sleepers)
• Vitamin C Serum (nice to have when you don’t want to bring all your skincare products on vacation, don’t forget to wear sunscreen!)
• Pants (30 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Mascara (makes my lashes look a lot longer than they are)
• Vest Set (25 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Dining Chair Pad (30 colors to choose from depending on size)
• Sheet Set 25 colors to choose from depending on size
• Face Wash (I use this every day for a squeaky clean feel)

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