Okay, this is real blogger life right here but first things first. If you are hopping over from the blog, Beauty for Ashes, thank you and I’m glad you are here! Isn’t Heather amazing?! I love her blog. I also love our host, Amber over at Follow The Yellow Brick Home. She’s the one that put together this Patriotic Porch Tour so when you get to the bottom of this post you’ll see 14 other fabulous porches!
Now back to real blogger life. Last week I over committed and disappointed myself. I decorated the porchette at the Highland Village house for this July 4th porch tour, bragged to the Mister that it only cost $15, took pictures, wrote the post, called it Our Dollar Store Overstated Patriotic Porchette, then scheduled it. Woke up the next day, walked outside, hated it, looked around to see if anyone saw me, went back inside, told the Mister and he helped me rip it down.
Real blogger struggles!
I’m not even going to show you a before picture (okay, partial pic above). You’ll just have to drink several bottles of wine and imagine it yourself. The brilliant plan was to detract from the front door because it didn’t match the patriotic theme I was going for. I thought I’d use two plastic flag patterned table cloths as curtains; like drapes to a grand movie theater. So the Mister attached 3 screws and a string to help me hang the beauties. My first clue should have been when he asked if I was sure I wanted them up there. I expected it to look like something straight out of Hollywood. But it didn’t. It was more like a red-carpet-walk-with-your-dress-stuck-in-your-underwear kind of Hollywood.
Then there was the banner that ran across the arch as well. With the curtains that constantly blew east and west, all the flags and the lovely banner, it was definitely overstated and ridiculous looking. If you had seen it you’d think – girl gone crazy. Now if we were back in Fort Worth in the golf cart parade then it would look over-the-top amazing and my Aunt Betty would love it! But we aren’t so I apologize to my neighbors that had to look at that for 2 days. And I hope we don’t get a letter from the HOA telling us to cease and desist from all holiday decorating.
The new overstated patriotic porchette
Let me explain the word porchette. Everyone knows a porch is the covered area in front of a home or building. One can usually sit and have coffee, rock your worries away, look at a nice view, or sometimes swing on a porch. Not ours. If I want to have chairs they are hidden behind a brick wall. You can see around the brick if you strain your neck but you feel as if you’re spying on the neighbors. If I want to have coffee, there’s no place to sit a cup and there’s certainly no “protection” from any rain or snow. Been there, done that. Porchette.
Go up instead of out!
So in the frustration of not having much to decorate, I decided to go up instead of out. I found two metal garden trellises and the Mister mounted them to the brick for me. As soon as they were up there I grinned from ear to ear. I can decorate these things for every single holiday; Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, President’s Day. And oh my golly, just think when fall and Christmas time comes! Aaaaaahhhh!
Each side will be a little different of course but I’m excited to start planning for the next holiday! The fabric is a table runner and I simply used small “s” hooks to hang everything else. Just think, I can hang pictures, lanterns, plants, garland. I can think of a dozen things right now!
So the lessons learned last week were don’t over commit, don’t rush it, don’t cheapen out, paint the front door to a neutral color, cut the legs off on the trellis before hanging it, and don’t let the dogs out when you’re trying to take pictures. Oh yeah, and if I’m ever at a red carpet event, make sure my dress isn’t tucked into my underwear.
If you pop over on July 4th, come on in and we’ll serve you some real homemade vanilla ice cream! And if you missed the Patriotic Snack Cart at the farmhouse, you can see that post here!
Hope y’all have a wonderful July 4th.
Now for the fun part! Click on the blog names below and it will take you to 14 other beautiful Patriotic Porches. You still have time to decorate your own porch or porchette and these bloggers will give you some serious inspiration! Big hugs my FRIENDS!
Follow The Yellow Brick Home | Poofing The Pillows | Our Southern Home
Decor To Adore | Petite Haus | Celebrate and Decorate | Belle Bleu Interiors
Art and Sand | Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson | My Thrift Store Addiction
White Arrows Home | The Tattered Pew | The Painted Hinge
Beauty For Ashes | County Road 407
Your honest blogger struggle had me smiling–we’ve all been there! I love your porchette and your dessert cart is adorable! Happy to be participating in the tour with you! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Author
Really, you’ve done that too? That makes me feel better! And I’m so glad to be included! Thank you.
I have a porchette too, Cindy! I’m happy to have it though…at least there’s room for a chair. I love what you’ve done and I wouldn’t call it overstated at all. So glad to see you here! 🙂
Author
What?! You have a porchette too?! The only thing ours is good for is shading the sun from beating in the front door. Happy to be with y’all today on this tour though!
Thanks for a morning giggle! It looks great-now! Trial & error is my go to style. “Planning” rarely works for me. Just jump in & mess with it until it looks right!
Cooperative dogs? What are you magic?? 😉
Author
Glad you were amused. Not sure my neighbors were. I’m not a planner either and I hear bloggers need to be planners. Uh oh! And the dogs are the only thing that listen to me in our house.
I probably would have loved your overstated decorations caz I love over the top for decorations! Your final result is lovely, colorful, and classy. All I have is tiny wooden front stairs so I envy you your “porchette.” I would love a deck/back porch “someday.”
Author
Thank you Kathy. I love each of those words in your description. The rough draft was not even close. And I get wanting a deck/back porch someday. They are so nice. Keep your fingers crossed!
What a fantastic and fun post! I love your humor, and oh the blogger struggles are real! I have been through it this week! I had planned to do all kinds of things for my porch tour but I got really sick and was in bed for the past four days, then yesterday hobbling around at the last minute wondering how in the world it was going to come together! I have several serious health issues that always seem to rear up when it’s time for an important blog post even if I am not stressed! Of course it was beautifully sunny all week when I was in bed, and yesterday, the only day I had to take pictures, it poured the rain! Somehow everything came together in the end even though it wasn’t what I had in mind at first. I have found that the decor that I plan out never turns out as well as shopping my house and thrift shops and just letting the magic happen as it somehow always comes together.
I think your porchette is classy and beautiful and you have done a great job with the space you have. I am so glad you joined us for the patriotic porches tour! I hope you have a great summer!
Author
Thank you Amber for asking! I was over the moon thrilled to join in. Glad it FINALLY worked out. I’m headed over to check them all out now and can hardly wait! Such a talented bunch for sure! Hope we can do it again sometime.
Cindy, I wish I could hug you. You brought a smile to my face when I needed it. We’re talking happy tears streaming down my face. We’re all guilty of “red-carpet-walk-with-your-dress-stuck-in-your-underwear kind of Hollywood” decor. I love it all!!!
Author
Awe Laura, I’m so glad you had happy tears. You need it girlfriend. Thanks for liking the decor too – seriously! It was a ridiculous few days. Still praying for y’all. Big hugs.
Cindy, I just love your sense of humor! The blogger struggle is real! 🙂 But your porchette turned out fantastic – I don’t think it’s overstated at all! And your puppies add the perfect touch 🙂 So happy to be on the Patriotic Porch Tour with you!
Author
Thank you Michelle! I’m glad it finally worked out. The before pictures have been deleted! Never to be seen again! Not even in “the cloud”! 😂
I love your porchette and you are very good at decorating and making people smile and that is a great talent.
Author
Awe, thanks Marlene. That made my whole day. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Girl you gave me a good laugh! Love the trellis, legs even left on. 🙂 And it looks as thought the dogs approve as well!!
hugs,
Jann
Author
That’s what I live for Jann, giving you a good laugh at my expense! LOL. Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you have a great week.
I think we have all been there before! Your patriotic porch turned out just perfect! Everything looks beautiful! It has been so much fun touring with you!
Author
Thanks Shannon for popping over today and for the sweet compliments. I have enjoyed stalking your page. 😉 I have a staging and design biz too. Wish we lived closer to each other. I bet we’d be great friends. By chance are you going to Haven this year? Let me know. I’d love to meet you in person.
I can totally relate to over committing and also completely redecorating. I’ve had many failed photoshoots as well… sometimes things go better in my head than in real life. Your front porch is lovely with all of the flags!
Author
Yay – someone who understands! Thanks for popping over Angelina and for the sweet compliment. I appreciate it!
You are so funny! I have done the same kind of thing, but it has usually been a tablescape, so not something my neighbors could see! I bet it wasn’t nearly as bbad as you thought. It may only be a porchette, but it is more than I had on previous homes, and you have done a perfect job of decorating it to welcome guests to your home for the 4th! I am glad to have hopped with you and gotten to discover Country Road 407! happy 4th!
Author
Awe thanks Chloe. It was bad but the pictures have been deleted for all eternity! Thank heavens. Loved being with you as well on this porch tour! Hope you have a great week.
Cindy, I like that you keep it real. Your husband was sweet and tactful! I enjoyed your humor and honesty. I laugh at some of the things I have tried to get to come together! We all do that.
In the end we saw an attractive and welcoming porch even though it is small. You styled it well. The trellis was genius. The dogs were the perfect touch. You could not have planned that better.
Author
Thank you Bonnie. I’ll tell the Mister you said that. He’s a huge help most of the time. Thanks for the sweet comments and popping over today!
Cindy, I love your honesty and your sense of humor my friend! I’m sitting in bed laughing at my computer screen and my hubs is looking at me like I’m crazy. That blogger struggle is real – I actually styled and photographed my porch 3 different times before I was happy with the look. Yours came out fabulous! What a great idea to hang the trellis. Now I can’t wait to see how you style it for each of the holidays. So happy to be able to join you on this tour. Have a fabulous 4th!!
Author
“Genius” – wow, I’ll take it! Putting that in the memory bank for sure! I loved being included with such great talent. It’s truly an honor. Thanks for visiting today. It makes my day!
It looks great Cindy! I love the hanging trellises, that will be fun to decorate through the seasons! Your front entrance/porch is stunning! Beautiful home! Would love to have you link up! 😍😉 Have a great day!
Author
Thank you Desiree. I think that trellis was a great idea and will tons of fun to decorate with. And thanks for the reminder to link up!
Cindy, I had to laugh, because it sounds like something I do and then look and think “what was I thinking of”. Your porchette looks lovely. Living in a condo, we have HOA rules too! At our cottage we’re free to do whatever we want!
Author
Glad to know you get it Carol! And our HOA is much more strict. 🤦🏻♀️. Guess that’s a good thing. Keeps me on my toes! 😉
Cindy,
I am cracking up and will be picturing you peaking at your neighbors from behind your brick drinking your coffee all day! The trellis were a brilliant idea and I love what you did and are planning to do with them! Such fun! Thanks for the smiles and inspiration!
Author
Thanks Kristin, glad you like it! And thanks for popping over today! ❤️
Cindy I can already tell that I like you a lot. I wish I lived closer because I would bring over the wine! Love your porchette and wish you a very happy 4th!
Author
LOL Kelly! Glad you like it and it would be fun to be close to each other. The closest blogging friends to me are about an hour away and they seem to be busy ALL the time so they are no fun! 😜
Cindy,
Remember… you are AMAZING! You bought, styled, photographed, and edited the first patriotic porch version. THEN, you pulled everything down, went shopping again, envisioned a new design created from a modified trellis, got everything decorated, photographed, edited, and wrote your blog post. ALL ON TIME! Yes, Cindy, you are a true blogger… who came through like the amazing person you are.
Now, don’t ask me how many DRAFT posts are languishing on my computer, partially finished because they just were not working as I first saw them. At least you have thrown out your old photos.
Judith
Author
Haha. Judith! Thank you. I don’t feel successful but it makes me smile to hear that from you. And I wasn’t leaving any evidence behind! 😂
I like your comment – go up instead of out. I call in vertical decorating. In our small house that’s the only way to go.
And, I have been there, done that with decorating and completely changing it.
You did a great job!
Author
Thank you Carol! It makes my day knowing you visited today! And that I’m not the only one that has to do things multiple times.
You are too funny! I love your patriotic porch. It truly turned out beautiful!
Author
LOL. Thanks Tammy! Glad you like it. ❤️
What a funny story! So glad we are in country on not under an HOA. We’d be banned for sure! Love your porchette and affordable ideas!!! XO
Author
😂😂. Yeah. I think they have our address automatically inserted and ready to go! Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for the compliments. ❤️