From the Front Porch: Spring Into Summer Edition
Happy Thursday from the front porch sweet friends and welcome to the spring into summer edition. Thanks so much for being here and for making us a part of your day!
How has your week been?
I’ve been working remotely from my parent’s primary house helping my Mom organize all the things this week.
Way before she even knew about the Countdown to Mother’s Day Calendar my Dad and I made for her, she asked for a week’s worth of organizing coupons for Mother’s Day because she had so many projects to tackle.
I didn’t want to ruin the calendar surprise so I told my Mom I would come and help and we’ve been organizing and decluttering drawers, cabinets, her office, her bathroom, her dressing closet, shoes, purses and accessories, and just about everything else in between.
It’s been a ton of work because there was so much to go through but it looks great now and I think we have a system in place she and my Dad will be able to maintain moving forward.
A lot of people think organizing is a “one and done” kind of thing but it’s so much more than that.
It’s being a mindful shopper, making things easy to put way, utilizing the “boundaries” of a certain space, finding organizing tools that work for your specific situation, maintaining the system on a regular basis and asking for help when you need it.
As I’ve shared with my Mom this week big changes like learning to shop and live more mindfully can feel overwhelming at times.
But they can also be a beautiful invitation to live a more simplified and organized life.
Cheering you on if you’re in the process of making big changes too!
A Few of our Favorite Posts From Around the Web This Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- A Creative Couple’s Storybook Farmhouse in Austin (via AD)
- This project Sweet Like Honey from Kate Marker Interiors was a fun one to follow.
- If you love a good before and after post, you’ll love this one, How I Updated My 90s Home Room by Room, from Stefana Silber.
Seasonal Inspiration:
- This months Handcrafted Society Blog Hop was all about dried flowers. Anna from Sky Lark House created these fabulous pressed fern fronds which could easily be framed and hung and I can’t wait to try it too.
- Also, now that I’ve learned how to make napkin rings (see below), I’ve been searching for even more inspiration. Have you seen the French Bee napkin rings Renae from Peacock Ridge Farm made yet? They’re gorgeous!
- It’s hard to believe Memorial Day is just around the corner. We’re just now starting to plan out the long weekend so I’m thankful that people like Rachel of The Ponds Farmhouse come up with fun and festive ideas like this budget friendly patriotic starfish wreath that is also quick and easy.
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- 5 Ways Mindfulness Helps You Age Better (via Greater Good Magazine)
- How Burnout Became Normal and How to Push Back Against It (via Harvard Business Review)
- The Everygirl’s 31 Day Best Self Summer Challenge looks like the perfect way to kick off the season.
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- Ultimate Spring Capsule Wardrobe – Essentials for Your Outfits (my Mom is a huge fan of Alexx Cole and now I am too. Her style is classic and beautiful!)
- 50 Social Etiquette Rules Everyone Should Follow (via Town and Country)
- 15 Beautiful and Historic Homes You Need to See in Your Lifetime (via Veranda)
Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:
- This dress from Boden comes in so many fun prints.
- This rack would be a fun way to dress up your entry.
- Speaking of dressing things up, I can’t stop thinking about this print from Mrs. Alice.
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Recently, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Moss Covered Urn and Spring Tea Party Blog Hop
Spring Into Summer Entry Ideas and Blog Hop
Quick and Easy Flower Napkin Rings and Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop
Using Chalkpaint on Metal Patio Furniture
You can find last week’s From the Front Porch: The Travel Edition here, if you missed it…
Memorial Day 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)
- Blouse (an easy style to wear with cardigans, blazers and jean jackets)
- Decorating Set (fun to use now and for 4th of July and Veterans Day too)
- Plates (these antique inspired plates also come in additional colors)
- Hydrangeas (a simple way to dress up your table for summer)
- Rug (have and love this rug. Ours has a gray band but the blue is so classic)
- Dress (highly rated and comes in 24 colors)
- Pillow Cover (another festive way to celebrate patriotic holidays)
- Tablecloth (this also comes in multiple colors and sizes)
- Earrings (love these and there is a door knocker inspired set that’s pretty too)
- Straws (an easy way to dress up drink stations at summer bbqs)
- Vest Set (wear the pieces together or separate)
- Bunting (such a simple statement maker)
- Ginger Jar (mixing new pieces with old pieces helps to give a layered look to any blue and white collection)
- Polish (such a pretty shade)
- Tray (a great way to add texture to any room or party)
- White Dress (love the black as well)
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!
Many blessings,
CoCo
Another great week Coco. I’ve been wondering how you made the headboard look so different. I havent even thought about Memorial Day, thanks for the reminder. Cant wait to try the pies and check out the links.
CoCo – we are so excited that your dad is doing so well. How fun for him to be treated to visiting all of his girls while your mom is away! Much live to you all!
Coco,
Such a great week. I’m still loving your napkin rings. Thanks for sharing my patriotic wreath.
CoCo, Your sweet Mom is fortunate to have your help with home organization! You have so many great ideas and I bet she is thrilled with the results! Such a great gift to share with others!! I can’t wait to check out all your links! Have a wonderful week!
I am trying to organize our home and making changes around here, and you are an inspiration for that CoCo. I have a lot of stuff, and it does not seem a certain husband plans on backing off on looking for more vintage auction finds. I am to the point, I am so overwhelmed, I am not sure what to do! Thank you for always inspiring me, and I have to say it again, your photos are always so perfect, lighting, subject matter, all of it!
Another enjoyable post with interesting links. I’ve been to 5 out of the 15 historical homes on the list and more that weren’t listed.
That sounds like so much fun, Karen! I love when they put those kinds of travel posts together. It makes me want to add them to my bucket list ASAP! Hope you’ve had the best weekend. Big hugs, CoCo
Hi CoCo! Your Mom is so lucky to have you to help her organize her home. It must be nice to spend time together working your ways through different areas of the home. I too need to organize my closet – especially my clothes. There are so many items I no longer wear that I need to donate. Having said that – finding time for such an overwhelming task isn’t easy. . I am always inspired by your posts and Donna’s posts (An Organized Season). You both have great tips. THANK YOU for sharing my pressed ferns. That was very kind of you! Wishing you the best week – and hope everything goes according to plan. p.s. Rachel and Renee are super creative! Loved their posts too.
Your thoughts on organization are so well timed. It’s such a great time of year to focus on being better organized. Also, I absolutely adored your moss covered urn tutorial. It turned out so beautifully!