Game-Day Headquarters

September means football, and porches were made for tailgating—without leaving home.

Set up a mini game-day spread: a cooler of drinks, a snack board (bonus points for pet-safe bites), and a Bluetooth speaker tuned to the pregame hype. Invite neighbors, or keep it to your crew.

Your porch becomes the sweet spot: energy of a tailgate, none of the parking-lot hassle. Pets included, lawn chairs optional.

Bottom line: Forget stadium traffic. The best seat in the house this fall might just be on the porch.

The September Reset

September is the unofficial New Year. The calendar may not say “fresh start,” but your porch does. Cooler mornings, earlier sunsets, and that first hint of fall invite a reset.

Use your porch as the launchpad:

• Morning coffee check-in instead of doomscrolling.

• Five-minute journal while your dog patrols the yard.

• Evening pause with a blanket before the rush of back-to-school chaos sets in.

It’s not about overhauling your life. It’s about tiny, repeatable rituals that make you feel anchored—without adding another app or subscription.

Bottom line: September’s best reset button isn’t hidden in a productivity book—it’s right outside your door, one mug at a time.

Your Porch: The Most Underrated Square Footage You Own

A few smart updates and your porch goes from “meh” to “money” — in mood, wellness, and maybe even resale value.

1. The ROI No One Talks About

Think equity, but make it wellness: quiet mornings with your pets, evening sunset views, and better curb appeal — all packed into a space you’re already paying for.

2. A Pet’s CEO Office

Your porch is where your dog holds daily “meet-and-greets” and your cat conducts silent board meetings. Add a cushy outdoor pet bed or a plush mat, and suddenly this spot doubles as the best seat in the house — for both of you.

3. Style with a Side of Fur

Install one statement piece — like a striped outdoor rug or a durable swing — and let your pet’s fur do the rest. It’s design + chaos in harmony. Bonus: low-maintenance for you, ideal for tail-waggers.

4. Mood Boost in 60 Seconds

Scientific-ish stat: 10 minutes outdoors reduces stress. But honestly? Your pet’s porch nap game has been peak stress relief since forever.

Bottom Line

That overlooked porch is one of the smartest “investments” you can make — in peace, pet joy, and lifestyle. Your dog already knows its worth. Time you recognized it too.

Porch Life Inspiration from Pinehurst

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. On a recent trip to Pinehurst #2, I found myself pausing — not for golf, but for the way the course made me feel. Wide, open greens stretched out like a porch with no walls. Everything about it was intentional: every curve, every view, every quiet pause in between.

That’s the energy I want to bring back home to the porch. You don’t need 18 holes of championship turf to feel calm. You can create the same sense of spaciousness with a simple chair angled just right, a woven rug underfoot, or a plant that softens the edges of your space. It’s about breathing room, not square footage.

The porch, like Pinehurst, is a place to slow down, to find rhythm, and to see beauty in the details. Whether you’re sipping tea in the morning or winding down at sunset, let your porch be a personal retreat — your own little course of calm.

Dog Days of Summer

When the thermometer climbs and the porch becomes the coolest spot in town, our four-legged friends show us how to truly embrace the dog days of summer. From dramatic flops in the shade to goofy sprints through sprinklers, pups remind us that slowing down can still be full of joy. This playful video captures the humor and heart of summer afternoons with our pets—because sometimes the best heatwave survival plan is just a wagging tail and a spot on the porch.

Click here to spend a summer moment with Coco & Princessa in ‘Dog Days of Summer’!

Where Calm Meets Companionship

Some days, the best therapy isn’t found in an office — it’s waiting right on the porch.

Out here, the rhythm slows. The hum of summer insects, the sway of potted plants, the quiet watchfulness of a loyal pup perched on the deck. It’s a reminder that healing often comes not from doing more, but from being still.

Our porch isn’t just wood and paint — it’s a sanctuary. A place where coffee tastes richer, conversations last longer, and our four-legged companions remind us to notice the simple joys.

In Porch Life, we celebrate these mindful pauses. Because whether it’s one pot of herbs, a stack of books, or a dog resting at your feet, the porch holds space for what really matters: connection, comfort, and presence.

✨ Step outside. Your porch is waiting.

Today I Stepped Off the Porch

Today I left the quiet of my porch behind and stepped into a celebration of flags, families, and faraway places. My pup stayed home—this kind of crowd and noise isn’t for every soul. But I needed to feel the world again.

We stood in the middle of it all, wrapped in color and community. A reminder that healing doesn’t always mean hiding. Sometimes, it's standing tall with your people, soaking in life as it happens.

And while my dog curled up in peace back home, I carried that peace with me. On my face. In my smile. In my stride.

Happy Hour, Porch Edition: SOS (Snacks on the Steps) with Your Pet

You don’t need a bar tab or a trendy rooftop to create your own kind of happy hour—just step onto your porch with your pet. At TashaGuru, we call it SOS: Snacks on the Steps. As your day winds down, invite your furry friend to join you for 30 minutes of stillness, sunshine, and shared treats. Pour yourself a mocktail—like a sparkling cucumber mint spritzer—and treat your pup to a frozen berry cube or DIY herbal biscuit.

Add a touch of charm with citronella candles, a cozy blanket, and soft background music. Or let the natural soundtrack of crickets and birdsong take the lead.

This isn’t just relaxing—it’s regulating. These porch moments create ritual, connection, and calm, especially for anxious pets or overworked humans. If your pet is an ESA, this kind of daily check-in can strengthen your bond and reinforce their support role.

Try theming each week: “Fruit & Fetch Friday,” “Tea & Treat Tuesday,” or “Sunset Sniffs Sunday.” And don’t forget to post a porch selfie!

SOS is your time to exhale—and your pet’s time to shine as your loyal, loving co-host. No reservations required.