Saturdays on the Porch #65
Saturdays on the Porch #65 features the latest from OSH in decorating, fashion, and what I've found online from shopping to ideas!
Latest from OSH
- DIY String Light Containers for Your Patio Lighting
- How to Restore a Lantern for Outdoor Use
- DIY Thrift Store Decoupage Wastebasket Makeover
- 10 Easy Spring Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Home
- Easy DIY Spring Tulip Basket Front Door Wreath
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Check out the most recent Saturdays on the Porch.
Saturdays on the Porch
Wow! It has been a hot minute since I published a Saturdays on the Porch. While I have been active on Instagram, I've taken a bit of a blogging break just because I needed it. Writing these blog posts literally takes hours from editing photos to fit the blog format, being creative, writing, researching, and pulling links. Some posts take upwards of 8 hours. This one takes about 5.
Not sure what got into me this week, but here I am! LOL!
Latest on the Blog
7 Tips to Create a Cozy Outdoor Living Space: Outdoor Living Tour
The Look
I discovered Frank and Eileen through a Facebook ad. I am obsessed with their look.
On the other hand, I have not pulled the trigger. It is expensive!!!
I also discovered Quince, and they are affordable! They are the perfect alternative.
I ordered 3 pieces and love each one of them!
The capris are from Chico's (a couple of years old). Love the Brigitte pants line. They are a pull-on stretchy style. The linen shirt above is from Quince. I wore this out to dinner a couple of weeks ago. My husband loved the look.
I carefully read reviews for fit tips. I highly recommend doing that. I love that the shirt covers your bum. It's lightweight and very comfortable.
Learn to get over the wrinkled look of linen. I have. While I ironed it before going out, it will wrinkle. That is the style of linen and is accepted these days. It is just so lightweight and cool.
FIT TIP: I wear a .5 in Chico's pants. I did size up to a medium in the long sleeve shirt per reviews and glad that I did.
I really love this linen shirt dress. I will wear it loose with no belt for errands. To dinner, I belted it. My husband preferred it belted. He's not a fan of the loose baggy style these days. I like it both ways.
FIT TIP: I sized down to a small in this shirt dress. Glad that I did because it is roomy. I will say that the sleeves are a bit more on the fitted side, but not uncomfortably. Length is fine. Love that the dress is slighly longer in the back. The sleeves can be worn down or rolled up and held in place with a button tab.
This Quince old-school camp shirt has a twist in that it is a bit shorter in length, but not revealing. The shorter length makes it flattering and takes away from the boxiness. Love the little side vents. Light and cool!
FIT TIP: I wore a small in this shirt per the reviews. The 9 inch chino shorts are a great length. True to size in an 8. I like that the longer length still has a more tailored fit.
Latest Reels
We absolutely LOVE this nugget ice maker. If you shop my link be sure to use code GEVINIM35 in the month of June to get 35% off!!!
What I'm Reading
I love to read AND listen to books. If you are looking for a way to get more steps in with your walking…..listen to books! You will want to keep walking to listen. I also listen while doing chores around the house. I will use my earbuds while walking, While in the house I will use a Bluetooth speaker that I can carry around with me or our Alexa.
I read actual printed books as well as on Kindle. I prefer my Kindle, but it is nice to hold a real book occasionally.
I've had my Audible membership for a while, and LOVE it! It gives me one book credit per month.
Let me share with you how I read on Kindle and listen to books as well. Get yourself a library card!
Then add the LIBBY and HOOPLA apps to your phone.
I will typically check to see if a book is available there first before using my credit or buying. Using these 2 apps with your library card is FREE!!! I love FREE.
There may be a waitlist if it is a newer title or popular. That's ok. Sometimes the wait can be lengthy. If I'm not willing to wait, I will just purchase. If it is new or popular, you NEED to finish the book in the allowed checkout time. Sometimes you can renew, and sometimes you may have to get back in the queue. If that happens, when it is available again…..it will download where you left off.
Get in the habit of always carrying a book with you to get in a little extra time. That way if you are waiting at the doctor's office or to get your car serviced….you are prepared!
It was my goal to read more than 12 books last year, and I completed that task. Check out that list which has been updated with my thoughts on the books. Here is my list for 2024. This is the list of definites for the year. I have a goal of 36 books this year. I will sprinkle in lots of audiobooks as well.
- I have a list of 12 books to read physically this year (1 per month) in addition to my audiobooks. You can find the complete list here.
- I just finished Nora Goes Off Script. I absolutely loved it. It was an easy, quick read. It was a romance, but not in a cheesy way. It was quirky, funny and takes place in a small town.
- Vacationland was another favorite that I recently finished. I love a great family saga with a touch of romance.
- My current read is The Quarry Girls. After a few lighthearted reads, I'm diving into this murder mystery. So far, it's a page-turner.
- I added a Kindle book that was not on my list. I just finished Someone Else's Life. It was a special purchase through Amazon. I would say that the second half of the book was better than the first half. It's a bit of a suspense thriller. It's got some twists toward the end. It isn't a favorite, but it was an enjoyable read.
- The Last Restaurant in Paris was historical fiction with all the parts of history, turmoil, romance, heartache, and discovery. I highly recommend it.
- I finished Hotel Nantucket. Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. It's a little mystery and a lot of love stories, but not in a cheesy way. I got behind on my physical book reading because I read my autographed copy as opposed to my Kindle. I like to read a while before going to bed and use my Kindle to not wake my husband.
- My January read was Lessons in Chemistry and absolutely loved it! The setting is the early 1960s and centers around a female chemist and her navigating a man's world. It's fun with a bit of romance and heartache. It is so worth a read!
- My February read was Not a Happy Family. This is a murder mystery. Parents are murdered, and we will try to solve who did it……their kids are suspects!
What I'm Listening to on Audio Books
- Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors. I just finished The Blue Bisto and loved it. I am currently listening to Summerland.
- Colleen Hoover is another favorite. I can't wait to listen to more of her books. I just finished Verity. Reat It Ends with Us then It Starts with Us in that exact order. These 2 go together.
- I am all caught up on listening to the Peachtree Bluff Series and really enjoyed it! Here is the list in order of the series. This is the perfect summer beach read!
- Book 1: Simply South of Simple
- Book 2: The Secret of Southern Charm
- Book 3: The Southern Side of Paradise
- Book 4: Christmas in Peachtree Bluff
- Currently listening to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Yes, it's as quirky as the title. I'm enjoying this one!
- I just finished Girl Forgotten by Karin Slaughter.
- The House Guest.
- People We Meet on Vacation
- Wrong Place Wrong Time
What We've Bought
- Gas burner for a low-country boil
- Upgraded to this stainless steel pot for the low-country boil
- Large skimmer for low-country boil
- This pan for grilling….perfect for prep and serving!
- neck travel wallet
- small ice scoop
- jigger measurer
- Small citrus juicer
- acrylic tray for the coffee bar
Thank you so much for being here today with me! I hope your weekend is joyful. XO, Christy
Christy has been creating content for Our Southern Home since 2012. She has been featured in numerous print and online publications. Her classic, eclectic design approach spans her home and fashion style. Christy has a way of mixing store-bought with thrift store, antique and vintage finds. As a recent empty nester, she is having fun navigating this new stage of life. Read more about Christy HERE. Be sure to subscribe below. You can also contact me HERE.
