From the Front Porch
Happy Thursday from the front porch you guys! How was your week? We hope it’s been all you’ve needed it to be and you felt loved, appreciated and productive as you continue to knock out your goals for the month of June.
I spent most of the week purging excess treasure hunting finds and cleaning out drawers and closets. Gah – it’s SO hard to let go of things you really like, you know? That said, we just can’t keep everything because the chaos and clutter will overwhelm our homes and our lives. Still…even when you know that deep within your heart, it can be hard.
I’m a true believer a cluttered home is a stressful home which is why I’m beyond thankful we’re cleaning up our act together with the 52 Weeks to a Clutter Free Home Challenge!
Office Update…
As I shared last week, my parents came on Thursday to help move all the furniture into the bedroom turned home office. Talk about a labor of love. My Dad basically drove over 2 hours for an hour and a half worth of work. We needed his muscles to move the bookcases because they’re over 8 feet tall! Once we got them in place my sweet Mom stayed to help style them all while my Dad met friends for lunch.
The bookcases look totally different side by side as opposed to having the dresser in the middle but I’m loving the change. Even though everything is not perfectly in place, I’ve been working from my desk all week and it’s helped to make a huge difference in my level of productivity. Working from the breakfast nook was ok for a while but it was definitely distracting.
While my Mom was here, she also helped me clean out the inventory closet in the bedroom so I could paint it. Let me tell you, it was a CHORE! I seriously could have cried tears of pure joy because we were able to get everything moved out. And I might have cried had I not been completely exhausted from the day ? Decluttering is no joke!
Celebrating Life…
Thankfully, there was plenty of family fun time sprinkled into all the purging as we celebrated my Dad’s birthday with a burgers and bowling theme on Saturday
and Father’s Day with barbecue and putt-putt on Sunday. My bowling score and putt-putt score were basically the same but we had a blast. The last time we all went bowling together I actually slipped and fell IN THE LANE, with the bowling ball STILL IN MY HAND! Just the fact I stayed upright the entire time felt like a huge win ?
The weather was perfect most of the weekend and we all had the best time. I swear there is something special about making summer memories together. I hope you guys all had happy celebrations too!
A Few of Our Favorite Posts From Around the Web This Week…
*This coastal home tour is definitely a picture perfect beach house.
*If you love all things blue and white, you’ll love this peek Inside the World of Designer Mark D. Sikes.
*This post, The Best Places to Travel in July, was such an interesting read because a popular city in Florida made the list but it’s probably not the one you’re thinking of.
*This home tour in Alys Beach is a pretty mix of pattern and color.
*What’s New and Notable in the Hamptons This Summer .
*Apparently this is the most relaxing color in the world according to House Beautiful and S is thrilled.
*9 Mediterranean Diet Benefits That Explain Why Experts Love it So Much
*The 5 Best Yoga Poses to Help You Sleep Better and Relax at Bedtime
*How to Stick with Good Habits Even When Your Willpower Is Gone
*If you’re looking for a way to use the hydrangeas from your garden in summer flower arrangements, this post has some pretty ideas.
*It’s so hard to believe the 4th of July is right around the corner, you guys! My sweet friend Amber has a beautiful round up ideas in this Inspiring Patriotic Decor Ideas post and Crissy shared this fantastic post 4th of July Decorating Ideas: How to Make Your Patio Sparkle.
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 24 – June 30
*Monday – Spiralized Pad Thai Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
*Tuesday – Spicy Mango Black Bean Avocado Tacos
*Wednesday – Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad with Peaches (one of us will be subbing chicken)
*Thursday – Weeknight Saucy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Bowls
*Friday – Slow Cooker Creamy Wild Rice Soup with Butter Roasted Mushrooms
*Saturday – Lemon Pepper Sheet Pan Salmon
*Sunday – Roasted Garlic Kale Spaghetti Squash with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Sweet Treat to Try this Week…
*No Bake Mascarpone Fruit Tarts
Here Are a Few Patriotic 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…
*DIY Lemongrass and Lavender Sink Scrub
*Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Dresser Makeover in Marzipan
*7 Easy Tips and Tricks for a Tidy & Clutter Free Linen Closet
*A Simple Patriotic USA Cake (from the archives)
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 25 Your Email Inbox and looking forward to working on Week 26 Your Car.
*** 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. ***
TCG Housekeeping Notes This Week…
Several of you have expressed the font on our website is too small, especially when you’re trying to read from your phone. We hear you! We’ve started updating the font on our new posts and will continue to work to change it on our other pages as well. We’re here to serve you guys! If there is a topic you want to see more of or if there is something we can easily update (like the font) please let us know. We will do our best to make it happen!
Some of you have asked if there is a way to find specific menu ideas without having to dig through old From the Front Porch posts. Truthfully, it will take a while to pin 6 months worth of menu ideas but I’m in the process of updating our Pinterest board, Simple Weekly Menu Ideas now. I’m hoping it will make it easier for you to find all the weekly dinner menu ideas you see each week on our From the Front Porch posts. As well as, be able to find breakfast, lunch, snack, dessert and drink recipes you’ll enjoy too. Bonus, everything will be available to you any time and we’d love for you to follow us and have us follow you too!
Finally, for those of who you have asked how my summer goal of finding a new skincare routine is going, it’s going fairly well. I’ve taken weekly photos to help chart my progress but so far I’m too embarrassed to actually show them to you. Mostly, because I have zero makeup on. I’m not even playing when I say I look like I’m about to either be locked up or I’m getting out on parole. We’re up with with Jelly Bean about every 3 hours each night now and after dealing with her canine dementia for over a year, it shows.
I hope you all have a peace filled and happy weekend. I’ll be attending an estate sale with my Mom for a client today. Then on Saturday we’re headed out of town to my parent’s primary home, Bliss Barracks, for a fun Casino Royale event. Both of my parents come from big families and every other month each one of my Dad’s siblings takes a turn hosting everyone. This month is my Dad’s turn and even though he’s not a gambler at all, he and my Mom have been working really hard to make this event a special one.
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
Thanks for another great week Coco. Ive just started planning out our 4th of July festivities and I appreciate the links. I love everything Mark Sikes does, he’s amazing. It sounds like you have a fun weekend planned. We do too. Enjoy
Thanks so much Sarah! I’m glad you liked all the links this week. I’m totally with you Mark D Sikes is crazy talented and all around amazing. Can’t wait to hear all about your weekend. Hope you guys have the best time. Hugs, CoCo
An excellent post as always, CoCo! How great that your mom and dad really jumped in to help you sort through your things and then restyle. It’s nice to have a fresh eye help you out. I’ve been doing major decluttering, mainly at the lake. I have four huge boxes and then a collection of artwork. There is an “All Lake” yard sale, but sadly my timing was wrong this year with my daughter’s upcoming wedding. But–at least it’s packed up. And I want to spend the next few months boxing up stuff here. I’ll bring it to the lake for next June.
I love your tips on arranging your linen closet. It’s just me and hubby now, but I stilI have the hardest time tossing older towels and bath rugs!! Always frugal. Or cheap!
I’m coming back to look at a few of your links. Have a great rest of June!
Jane x
I appreciate it Jane, thank you! I always feel so much better when things are decluttered and tidy but gosh getting there sometimes can definitely be a chore he he. I’m excited to hear about your daughter’s upcoming wedding. I know it’s such an exciting time for families. I hear you on the towels and the bath rugs! Really good ones can be kind of expensive so I don’t blame you for wanting to hold onto them as long as you can. Buying treasures is always so much more fun anyway 🙂 Hugs and happy weekend, CoCo