Summer Front and Back Porch Makeover

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year, but it also is one of the busiest.  There's a lot more daylight so I try to jam pack a lot more activities, swimming, playdates, projects, and to do's on my list.  Most nights after dinner has been made, cleaned up, the kido is bathed and put down for bed, I'm exhausted.  The perfect way to enjoy the rest of the evening is go outside and enjoy the warm summer night, a cool drink in hand, and talking to my husband about what happened in our day and catching up.  My front and back porch has been neglected since Christmas.  I wanted these two areas to be relaxing, enjoyable, comfortable, and bright.
I'm happy to announce that I'm an ambassador with Cost Plus World Market and will be collaborating with them a lot more.  I really love their store and can spend hours there, but I also really love their stylish and eclectic array of items they have for your home.  So they asked me to create a "getaway" outdoor space for my home.  I knew I wanted to spruce up the front and back patio

When CPWM announced their summer outdoor collection this year.  Let's just say that color is in!  The collection looks like Brazil and India had a baby.  Their pillows, decor, and furniture, are all colorful, printed, and bold.

The first thing I did was created a mood board of my favorite picks for my outdoor spaces.  You can tell I'm really digging the hot pink Aberdeen look.  I normally don't like to pair matching prints together, but I couldn't get enough of this pattern.  I love it!

Orange Lantern | Gunmetal Cargo Stool | Adirondack Outdoor Chair Cushion | Fuchsia Outdoor Throw Pillow | Aqua Outdoor Throw Pillow | Rio Outdoor Floor Mat | Adirondack Chair 

Here is what my front porch "getaway" looks like.

Welcome to my home.

Here's the east side of my front porch. I redid these vintage metal chairs a while back, the plant stand is something I found in a garbage can, the pillows are ones I already had, and don't you love that little orange lantern?

It's funny because whenever I'm taking pictures of projects, Winston always loves to sneak into the pictures.  I don't mind, he's so cute, who couldn't resist him?!  The welcome mat is from Target I got a couple years ago.  Cost Plus World Market has some really fun mats like this one and this one.  

The two planter pots are mine and the table was a gift we got as a wedding present eight years ago.  I was thinking about spray painting it a color, but for now it will stay this way.  I used hot pink dianthus, a green and black sweet potato vine, white petunias, blue lobelias, and a small cordyline for the plants. 

These planters are so easy to make.  I did it in 15 minutes and the great thing about potted plants is that you can't mess them up and it's a fun way to use your creativity.  For me, I find it to be really relaxing.

I made this wreath a couple years ago when the yarn wreaths were really big on Pinterest.  I took a straw wreath and wrapped chartreuse yarn around it.  I didn't want to make a new wreath for every season, so what I did was glue velcro strips to it so I can interchange the decoration for each of the different seasons.  When a season is over, I pull off the flowers, hearts, leaves, or poinsettias, and stick the new decorations on it for the new season.  I made the felt flowers by following these tutorials here and here.

I love this little metal side table. It's perfect to place your book, ipad, phone, and drink.  The two pillows are ones I already had.  The adirondack chair and chair cover combined are so comfortable.

A couple nights ago I was so tired after the long day and sat outside, with my drink, my ipad and watched the Bachelorette.  It was the most relaxing night I've had for such a long time. I watched the drama unfold while families walked by with their dogs, and as the sun was setting, it was amazing.

Now onto the backyard patio.  

Our backyard patio is underneath a large tree, so during certain parts of the day like the evening it's cool and shady which makes it perfect for after dinner hanging out, and spending time with my family.  Haha, can you see the saran wrap ladder in the background?  It's our way from keeping our daughter from climbing up the ladder and killing herself.  It has really worked! 

Most of the potted plants in our backyard are vegetables.  

The blue adirondack chairs, the fire pit, and the pots are things I already had.  

I love roasting some s'mores on this portable fire pit.  Take a look at some really cool looking fire pits here. 

Cost Plus World Market has an exciting giveaway going on right now.  They've partnered with Southwest Airlines to offer four great summer getaways to help you getaway!  Enter for a chance to win one of four grand prize packages:

-Airfare for four on Southwest Airlines

-Hotel Accommodations

-$500 World Market gift card

Participants can earn bonus entries for liking and sharing content via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram pages for more chances to win.

Go here to enter.

*I am an ambassador with Cost Plus World Market and in exchange for this post I picked products from their store to use in my post.  All opinions are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links, which means my sisters and I receive commissions on purchases you make using our links.  This helps fund and run Fry Sauce & Grits, so thank you!