From the Front Porch
Happy Thursday from the front porch you guys! How was your week? We hope it finds you off to a great start as we continue to ease our way into June and celebrate all things summer.
Have you officially kicked off the Summer of ___________ (insert your name here)? It makes me so excited just thinking about all the adventures we’re all going to make a priority this summer!
Several of you have asked about the photo walks I mentioned on our Summer Bucket List post 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 some time outdoors in nature and take 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), to challenge yourself to be more creative, to notice seemingly mundane things with a fresh perspective, to learn different photography techniques and to study new subjects too!
There aren’t any rules, per se, when it comes to photo walks, but there are a few things to consider:
- Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking a lot.
- Always, always, always be aware of your surroundings. It’s SO easy to get caught up taking pictures and trying to get the shot you’re after that you can quickly lose track of time and your surroundings. Use caution, care, and common sense when you’re out on any kind of photo walk no matter what! Also, be sure to tell someone (that’s not in your group) where you are going and how long you expect to be!
- 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, are trying to learn a new lens or hone your skills.
After listening to this Boss Girl Creative podcast recently, I decided to combine a gratitude of summer with a photo walk. That way, I have a visual record of how I spent my summer, the things I’m grateful for and I get to practice new photography skills, lenses and equipment too which is also a summer goal!
Now, I don’t want you guys to think you have to head downtown to a historic district each week (although how fun would that be) or to find a national park to complete a gratitude filled photo walk. These are just a few of the simple things I’ve been thankful for this week and most of them start with being thankful right at home…
June 1 – Spending the day installing board and batten in my office
June 2 – Getting back on track with my accountability partner after taking off the month of May
June 3 – Starting a new skincare routine
June 4 – Taking the time to make a healthy lunch
June 5 – The best coworkers ever ?
A few of our favorite posts from around the web this week…
* Tis the season for gorgeous hydrangeas and my sweet friends at 2 Bees in a Pod have some fantastic tips for growing them in the South.
* This Low Country White Coastal Farmhouse is the stuff dreams are made of!
* If you’re planning a trip to Charleston this summer, here’s a guide to Charleston House Tours . Honestly, even if you’re not planning a visit you can still find inspiration in the photos.
*This Tory Burch Home interview was an interesting read and I’m obsessed with her lettuce ware now ?
* This post, Can Dogs Get Sunburned? is a *MUST READ* for all pet owners especially as the summer temperatures begin to rise!
*What It’s Like to Grow Up with More Money Than You’ll Ever Spend
* I am deathly afraid of any kind of bug that resembles a roach but the goldbugs these sisters have created are totally fabulous!
* I don’t need a new refrigerator, but I figured one of you might. If you do, this one would be gorgeous in any kitchen.
* Speaking of gorgeous kitchens, wait until you see the wood kitchens in this post.
* 17 of the Easiest Ways to Get Healthy Right Now and you guys, they’re all totally doable!
* This post breaks down the vitamins you really need.
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 June 10 – June 16
Monday – Seared Mackerel with Marinated Tomatoes
Tuesday – Slow Cooker Mexican Chili Lime Chicken
Wednesday – Pear Salad with Walnuts, Avocado and Grilled Chicken
Thursday – This Greek Platter looks so good and so easy too
Friday – Mushroom Pizza with Havarti, Herbs and White Truffle Oil
Saturday – Grilled Lemon Shrimp Skewers with Vegetables
Sunday – Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Sweet Treat to Try this Week…
Here are a few tropical inspired finds we spotted on Amazon this week…
**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
If you’ve missed anything on the blog lately, here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to…
Spring into Summer Porch Tour and Blog Hop
Home Décor & DIY Projects to Complete This Summer
How to Make a Simple Herb Topiary
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 23 Bills/Mail/Paper Clutter and looking forward to working on Week 24 Digital Computer Files/Passwords/Photographs.
*** Keep in mind, if you’re new to this challenge or have gotten behind for whatever reason, simply pick up on the current week and start again. You don’t have to be perfect, just don’t stay stuck! This challenge is all about making progress no matter how big or small. ***
****Just a reminder…next week, we’re starting a summer sabbatical of sorts as I begin working on my continuing education hours, traveling to work on different projects, organizing all the things, finishing up our home goals and carving out extra time for self-care.
Our plan is to post on Tuesday, Thursdays and maybe Saturdays depending on how things are going during the week, but I promise to try and keep things as consistent as possible for you guys. The only time we might deviate from that plan is for blog hops or sponsored content which we don’t always have control over. I’ll give you a heads up though either way.****
I hope you all have a peace filled and happy weekend. We’re headed out of town to visit my uncle’s new farm and we’re all super excited about it. The littles are going to fish, play games and everyone is bringing a dish so it will feel like a fun mix of dinner on the grounds and jellybean field day.
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
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