From the Front Porch: A Summer Invitation

Happy Thursday from the front porch sweet friends and welcome to the Summer Invitation Edition!

Over the past few years, I’ve made a concerted effort to create helpful soundtracks.

Especially, during times of frustration or challenges.

And I realized the other day just how easily you can change your mindset by using the word “invitation.”

For example, when we temporarily had to put a bedroom makeover on hold because we unexpectedly had to replace a set of tires, and the AC unit at the same time we’re having the house painted, it became an invitation to be grateful we prioritize saving.

When I found myself dealing with yet another respiratory infection, it became an invitation to dig deeper into health and wellness.

When one of my sisters recently discovered she has mad research skills, I knew immediately those skills would be an invitation to help others heal.

And when my Mom felt overwhelmed by the amount of clutter she had accumulated in her dressing closet and bathroom vanity, it became an invitation to become a more mindful shopper and to simplify her spaces.

So, as we get ready to welcome a fresh new season, I invite you to create a summer bucket list that makes you excited to jump out of bed, to take care of the things you’ve been putting off or dreamed of doing for far too long, to trust your instincts and take advantage of the opportunities you’ve been given, and to boldly walk off the hamster wheel so you can craft a life filled with joy, adventure, abundance, simple pleasures and little luxuries.

As I shared in Tuesday’s subscriber email, I’ve decided to take a some time off to begin a comprehensive plan for better health and wellness, catch up on the classes required for my counseling certification renewal (gosh I’m so behind), and to help take a bit of pressure off while the house is filled with workers both inside and out.

While things will slow down a bit on the blog, I’m hoping to share behind the scene updates with subscribers as they develop.

So, if you’re not on the list yet, we’d love to have you.

As always, I’ll be cheering you on and I hope this summer season will be your most memorable season yet!

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

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:

• Everything about this Charleston home via Basic Project looks so warm and inviting.
• Have you seen this project by Marea Clark Interiors yet? All the layers of blues and greens are really pretty.
• Now that we’re having the house painted, I’ve been searching for porch and patio inspiration from Flower Magazine.

Seasonal Inspiration:

• Elizabeth from Pinecones and Acorns shared this post, 20 Little Things On My Summer Bucket List and it’s a fun one. I just added #3 and #9 to my list because it’s been forever since I’ve made time for either one.
• The summer season is such a great time to try out new craft ideas. Have you seen the thrifted vases Rachel of The Ponds Farmhouse recently created? Her blog is filled with awesome ideas.
• Love how Michele of Vintage Home Designs made a DIY block print jute rug. It looks fabulous on her porch.
• If you plan to treasure hunt this summer, Anna from Sky Lark House has a fun list of 5 vintage things to decorate with and look for.
• This award winning summer tablescape from Jen of Midwest Life and Style is still one of my all time favorites.

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• What You Water Grows (this post was such a timely reminder from the faith based company DaySpring)
• 6 Subtle Ways Your Body May Be Telling You That You May Have Gut Inflammation (I passed along this post via Well+Good to one of my sisters this week, it was insightful for us both)
• 9 Best Greens Powders, According to a Registered Dieticians and Tested by Editors (via Glamour)

Style and Travel Inspiration:

• How to Style Parisian Chic Outfits Like The French (via My Chic Obsession)
• 10 Ways to Feel Luxurious At Home (via The Daily Connoisseur)
• The 10 Best Places to Travel in June (via CN)

Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:

• I can’t stop thinking about these plates. They come in 2 colors and they’re both gorgeous!
• How pretty is this summer statement necklace from Tuckernuck?
• The summer sneakers I never knew I needed until now.

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Recently, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

17 Ways to Ease Into Summer

Father’s Day Picnic Ideas and May Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop

Summer Bucket List Themes and Ideas

The Best Books to Read This Summer

You Can Find Last Week’s From the Front Porch here, if you missed it…

Organizing the Month Ahead…

Words to Live By:

June Bucket List…

• Celebrate June Birthdays, Flag Day, and Father’s Day
• Kick off Health and Wellness Summer Bucket List
• Surprise Pen Pal
• Celebrate the Royal Ascot at the Tea Room
• Shop for New Porch Lights
• Decide on a Backyard Design
• Try a New Craft Project
• Learn to Make a Signature Mocktail
• Keep Sundays Sacred

June Word of the Month: Experiment & Explore

Activities to Enjoy:

• Try a New Recipe or Restaurant
• Experiment With Fresh Makeup/Hair/Outfit Ideas
• Ask Someone New to Lunch
• Play Tourist in a Nearby Town
• Enjoy a Concert or Play
• Cross Something Off Your Bucket List
• Visit a Farm or Botanical Garden

You can find our complete list of Word of the Month Ideas here.

52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…

Focus of the Month: Paper Clutter, Photos, and Email

• Week 1: Bills/Mail/Paper Clutter
• Week 2: Digital Computer Files/Passwords/Photographs
• Week 3: Your Email Inbox
• Week 4: Organize Your Purse, Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts

Summer Invitation Inspired Finds 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 for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

• Polo Sweater (comes in so many different colors and I love the longer sleeve length)
• Wall Sconce (these would be perfect for a beach house or a lake house)
• Cabana Towel (these also come in a lot of different colors)
• Book (a fun way to kick off a French Country inspired summer)
• Sandals (spotted these while helping source sandals for a friend, they come in wide)
• Pants (this pattern is bright and cheery)
• Notecards (this company makes such pretty notecards, I love the bee and Parisian themed ones too)
• Striped Dress (a pretty dress for dinner on the water or strolling around town on a hot day)
• Pillow Cover (love this stripe and the block print and floral prints too)
• Belts (these are great for dressing up summer basics)
• Dress (also looks good with a blazer and comes in a variety of colors)
• Basket (also comes in a size medium and has a lid which is great for storage)
• Beach Umbrella (the fringe is such a fun touch, they have a super cute pink striped one too)
• Quilt Set (perfect to use as a picnic blanket or to change out summer bedding)
• Tote (also comes in blue stripes)
• Hydrangea PJs (hydrangeas feel like the perfect way to celebrate summer, they have pink too)

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 more with you soon!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo