From the Front Porch: Summer Porch and Patio Edition
Hello from the front porch, sweet friends, and welcome to the Summer Porch and Patio Edition of this weekly series.
Thanks so much for being here and for making us a part of your day.
How has your week been?
If you’ve had a chance to read our summer bucket list post, you might have seen photo walks on the list.
So, I thought I would tell you about how much fun they can be.
A photo walk is basically where you wander the streets and explore a new city, play tourist in your hometown, or spend time outdoors in nature, taking pictures of anything you find interesting.
Honestly, you can complete a photo walk with family, friends, fellow photographers, your coworkers, or even by yourself!
Photo walks are a great way to hone your photography skills (even your phone photography skills), challenge yourself to be more creative, notice seemingly mundane things with a fresh perspective, learn different photography techniques, and study new subjects. too.
Another way to help document your summer season is by combining the things you’re grateful for with a photo walk.
That way, you’ll have a visual record of how you spent your summer, the things you’re grateful for, and you’ll get to practice new photography skills, lenses, and equipment, which could also be a summer goal.
There aren’t any rules, per se, when it comes to photo walks, but there are a few things to consider:
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Always, always, always be aware of your surroundings. It’s SO easy to get caught up taking pictures and trying to get the shot that you can quickly lose track of time and your surroundings. Use caution, care, and common sense when you’re out on a photo walk. Also, be sure to tell someone (that’s not in your group) where you are going and how long you expect to be there.
- Don’t bring a lot of extra camera bags, multiple lenses, or extra equipment (save for maybe an extra battery and a lens cleaning towel). Keeping it simple means you can fully focus on gathering inspiration and detailed shots.
- Avoid harsh sun and shadows by shooting during the golden hour, which is just after sunrise and just before sunset. The lighting will be softer during that time, and your pictures will be better, especially if you’re new to photography or are trying to learn a new lens or hone your skills.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- There are so many handcrafted details in this Cape May, New Jersey home designed by Jersey Ice Cream Co.
- If you love a mix of dark woods and pieces that look like they’ve been collected over time, you’ll love Germantown from Sean Anderson Design.
- The Glam Pad shared a feature on Gil Schafer’s Country Home, and it’s really beautiful.
- Have you seen the gorgeous portfolio of Banchory Farm yet? I just added them to my travel bucket list!
- W
- Wait until you see the kitchens in this post via Jacquelyn Clark.
- I keep going back to this post, Chelsea in Bloom via House Beautiful, to look for interesting flower and color combinations.
- How to Plant Potted Hydrangeas (via Real Simple)
Seasonal Project Ideas:
- This post, Repurposed Garden Decor: 20+ Unique Ideas for Your Outdoor Spaces from Rachel of the Ponds Farmhouse, is creative and perfectly timed.
- Speaking of perfectly timed, have you seen the garden tool wall rack Anna from Sky Lark House made? It’s fantastic.
- Kim from Shiplap and Shells has the most gorgeous view of the water and garden. Don’t miss Your Guide to Creating the Perfect Serene Outdoor Spaces for Summer. It’s dreamy!
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- 8 Things to Declutter Every Saturday for Less Stress All Week (via Southern Living)
- 17 of the Easiest Ways to Get Healthy Right Now and they’re all totally doable. (via The Everygirl)
- This post via Glamour UK breaks down the vitamins you need and what they do.
- This post, via Pure Wow Can Dogs Get Sunburned? is a *MUST READ* for pet owners.
Makeup, Style, and Travel Inspiration:
- 9 White Skirt Outfits You Can Style With Outfits You Already Have (honestly, these ideas could work well with white pants, jeans, or shorts via My Chic Obsession)
- Budget-Friendly Makeup To Try This Summer (via Stephanie Marie Blogs)
- If you’re planning a trip to Charleston this summer, here’s a guide to Charleston House Tours.
Encouraging Words…
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Lately, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
Quick and Easy Front Porch Topiaries
Weekend DIY Projects for the Porch or Patio
How to Make a Summer-Inspired Grapevine Wreath
Giving Terracotta Pots an Aged Patina with Chalk Paint
How to Make a Plant Tray From an Old Window
How to Spray Paint Wicker Furniture
How to Easily Clean a Porch or Patio
From the Front Porch: The Martha Edition
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)
- Gloves (gifted a different color variation of these, and they were a big hit)
- Blouse (great with white pants or jeans and comes in 13 colors available)
- Plate Set (a fresh take on cabbage and lettuce ware)
- Flowers (were pleasantly surprised at how real these look and feel, 6 colors available)
- Layered Garden (lots of inspo in this book)
- Garden Bed (have and love in beige, painted a pale gray, they’re huge; 19 colors available depending on size)
- Necklace (chunky necklaces like these have become the necklace of the summer, 18 colors available)
- Tablecloth (would be so pretty on an entry table, nightstand, or dining table)
- Dress (7 colors available and perfect for weekend market trips)
- Gift Set (an easy set to gift or enjoy)
- Seeds (these are almost too pretty to use)
- Skirt (7 colors available depending on size and works well with tanks, tees, or button downs)
- Shears (have and love)
- Gingham Dress (super simple to dress up or down)
- Book (excited to dive into this)
- Trellis (currently considering for my cherry tomatoes)
As always, we appreciate you sharing part of your day with us, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing.
We can’t wait to share more with you next week!
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
I always love to see one of your posts, CoCo! They are always chock full of inspiring photos, ideas, tips, and links. I was excited to see the porch ideas, I have a great front porch at the lakehouse and I’m always looking for new ways to style it. Your menu plans always get me excited, too! I know you don’t run around like a maniac photographing everything in sight…we miss the beauty of the moment. Still, you share some really great inspiration in your photos and that’s a good thing.
Happy summer!!
Jane x
You always leave the sweetest comments, Jane, thank you! It’s definitely fun to put these posts together and share the “cliff notes” version of the week. Styling the porches is one of those tasks that takes a while but is always worth it. We really do try our best to make it an extension of our home. It’s on my summer bucket list to take more photos! Most of the time I’m so caught up in the moment that I miss capturing an image I wish I had an actual photo of. One of my sisters takes the best candid shots at just the right moment so I’m hoping she will teach me her ways this summer. Sending you big hugs, CoCo
These are my favorite posts because even as a busy mom it allows me to catch up on the week. I really hope you keep this feature throughout the summer even though your’re taking a break too. I love the fashion finds and the farmhouse is really beautiful. I.hope you have a great weekend
Several people have asked me not to retire this weekly series over the summer Sarah so we’re definitely going to do our best to keep it for you guys! I completely understand the need to have all the posts in one spot each week so you guys can catch up because my sister does the same thing. She’s usually reading in the parent pick up line 🙂 I hope you and the girls have a fantastic weekend as well. Summer is such a great time to make fun memories. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo – thank you so very much for sharing our hydrangea post! So far the heat and the deer are losing the summer battle LOL. Love the post too about dogs and sunburn. You know that we have a very new “perfect boy” in our household – and this post is so timely! Much love!
Ohh I’m happy to read that you were inspired by my podcast episode about gratitude!!! Love seeing stuff like this!!
I really appreciate it, Taylor! Your podcast is amazing. I’ve never left an episode where I didn’t learn something important about my business, my friendships or myself. You are truly a rising tide that lifts all boats. Thank for all that you do to make all of us better Boss Girls. Hugs, CoCo
I love the photo walk idea. I’ve been doing that around my house, but I think I will venture out into the neighborhood. Thanks for the fun idea!
Such a great idea, Susan! I usually listen to a podcast when I walk but I’ve started doing quiet prayer walks in the mornings and it’s so peaceful to just listen to the birds sing and wake the earth up. Can’t wait to hear what you discover around your house too. Big hugs, CoCo
Coco
I think we all need to do a photo walk. I find I overlook so much of my surroundings and don’t take the time to smell the roses. As I’m more confined and forced to slow down, I’m realizing how much I’ve missed. I have a new appreciation for natures beauty, time with friends and family and so much more. You idea is a wonderful way to document our journeys. Thank you for sharing my repurposed garden ideas. You are the best.
Speak to my heart, Rachel, I know just what you mean. We can definitely get busy with all the hustle and bustle of life that we miss what’s right in front of us. I’m proud of you for slowing down, honoring your energy and navigating your way through this cancer journey with grace. It takes a lot of bravery and I’m so proud of you. Sending you lots of hugs and lifting you up each day, CoCo
I love the idea of a photo walk. It’s the perfect way to document a summer- or any season. I love the photo of the peaches 🍑. Thank you for rounding up all the links . So many great things to explore! Wishing you a lovely weekend!
Photo walks are so much fun, Anna. I think you’ll really enjoy them. Plus, you live in such a beautiful part of the country I know there must be tons of fabulous things to discover. Be still my heart – peach season is here. They just throw them on the tables by the bucket. Summer fruits and veggies are the best. Hope your weekend was all that you needed it to be, CoCo
CoCo you always have such great inspiration in these posts. Those home tours are stunning and one can only aspire. The Tory Burch interview was interesting and loved her tablescapes. Hope you have a lovely weekend. XO- MaryJo
I appreciate that so much, MaryJo, these posts are always fun to put together. I swear we are so lucky to be surrounded by so many talented creatives who are willing to share their art and ideas with us. Sending you hugs and hoping you’re having a great summer season, CoCo