HOLIDAY DECOR....THE PORCH

This year the motto is less is more......I'm not a fan of huge lighting set ups on the roof and obnoxious amounts of blow ups all over the front lawn.

My normal color scheme throughout the year is red/white/turquoise on my porch.   My house is tan and I always have up my Black metal stars on the windows frames and my wicker furniture is painted black and so are my Pottery Barn trunks which I use for storage out there.

So this year it's a simple rustic Christmas here at our home.....How about yours?

Our humble home....Casa Joseph

Our very own HUGE REAL Christmas tree adorned w/ some bows

I will put out presents underneath the tree and around the 2nd sled.

WELCOME

Repurposed chalkboard, handmade holiday crafts

Love displaying vintage on the porch....sled, waste can, lantern. 

My vintage screendoor (newly painted red) w/ my custom made for me wreath from my South Carolina crafty chick LP ..her line of wreaths are amazing...check out her shop SHENANAGAINS

Some cozy moose love on the wicker settee 

This little moose is 17 years old, she and her partner were bought for my oldest daughter

Other sitting area of the porch...vintage wooden wagon

Love this....it's not about the most popular toy or the best gift.

Let's also remember those who can't be home with their families for the holidays.

GOD BLESS.......the men and women of  The U.S. Military!

FROM MY HOME TO YOURS.....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

-MJ

I'm from Jersey, I'm always ready for a party

The Inspired Room Christmas Home Tours

WELL HELLO THERE...WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN

As you can see from the date of my last post, its been more than 2 weeks since I've blogged.    There are a few reasons but it all started with our yearly family vacation to South Carolina.   This year Irene decided she wanted to join my family (but I'll save that for a rainy day post) lol

Today is the 1st day of school for 4 out of my 5 children...so it will start getting busy in a few minutes when my preschooler gets home.  Just wanted to quickly share some of the little fall touches I've started adding all around the house, inside and out.  Hope you all enjoy and hope to back in action soon.

Here is the beginnings of our Fall Mantle in the Living Room...I brought back my homemade international Autumn banner from last year (English, Italian, Spanish, French) there we are all represented. lol

My mother gave me that Avon 5th Annivesary plate (funny thing...this year is our 5th year official wedding anniversary) lol

Left side of the mantle....always incorporating my 'J'

Right side of the mantle.  Pine cone is from State Park is Palm Dessert, Calif (shhhh dont tell)

Little sitting nook next to the fireplace...need some tall animals for that little elephant side table

Changed out the curtains from cream canvas to Pier 1 green bird pattern.

Junkin find...in perfect condition (thank you!)

Coffee table newest addition on trial basis in here...

Right side of front porch....rust,plums,greens,golds this year.

My hanging basket fall arrangements (still useful after your coconut liner is done)

Table runner from Home Goods, old aged terra cotta pots...green yummy smelling candle.

Left side of the front porch...love my fern baskets.   Removed the old screen door I usually have behind the sofa to block my neighbors clothesline (lol)  Its bright red so didnt really go (I shouldve left it green till after fall)

My front lawn shepards hook area

My handmade (by a dear old man) scarecrow pole man and pumpkins...he lost his arms but Big Daddy is working on some replacements

Our front entrance....my Marine is always standing guard.

-MJ

I PARTY WITH THE BEST...

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SUNDAY.....IS NOW SITTING ON THE PORCH DAY!

HOLIDAY DECOR....THE ENTRYWAY ***UPDATED..AGAIN**

Well it gets extremely cold in New Jersey in the winter, and we live near the water so its also very windy as well.    I try not to keep too much on my porch, I keep the wicker furniture and some pots usually.   Last year fence panels and solar lights were destroyed so Im being more cautious this year.

This year I decided I want a simple exterior and was again inspired by:

Ballard Design Catalogs

This entry is so classic & clean to me...I love it!

AUTUMN/AUTUNNO/OTONO INSPIRATION

This week is kinda hectic with an upcoming wedding this weekend and a teething baby, I try not to miss a day of blogging so I will leave you with some fabulous Autumn Inspiration.

I love the cornstalks and the burgandy door

This is a nice pop of color to a light brick facade

I love this idea and wish I had my old wooden porch back

This is sweet if you have a long country porch

Some bright Halloween decor

This is one of my favorites and what we are setting up on our front lawn.

I love this rustic theme on the white back drop

AUTUMN IS KNOCKING ON MY DOOR

Im living in a rental home for the next year or so until we decide on a move destination.   I love the little house we are in, but miss my little farmhouse.   Especially my big wooden front door and old porch.

This is our new front door, almost ready for fall.

This is a project I made for FREE and love how it came out so it went on the porch right next to the door.

Another shot of the door area, not bad but I can do better.   The door to your home is very important, it's what your neighbors look at all day.  It's what your friends and family see when they come and visit.  Im a fanatic about keeping the finger prints off the door (I have 5 kids...tough job), for some reason kids dont like using handles they push the glass. lol

Im joining Kristin over at My Uncommon Slice of Surburbia today for her Front Door Reveal (so classy) and a linky party.  Here is her link http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com/2010/09/front-door-reveal-and-link-party.html .......go on over and knock on her door.

A WEEK OF THRIFTY PROJECTS...... DAY 3 - FENCE

So this next project came about when I was shopping the garage loft area.   You all have seen the altar shelf I made from a piece of wood I found in there.   Well I also found this:

A section of a wood fence panel that runs along the left side of the ours/neighbors house.

These little wreaths I got a few years ago from Pier 1 during a seasonal clearance.  I use them every year.

This is a close up of the wreaths....so cute.

So I just hung the wreaths with push pins on the fench panel.  The "Welcome Fall" sign is part of a broken wooden wreath I had from prior season.  I will be making other project with its counterparts. lol

This is the little fall fence vignette area.......it will stay this way for awhile (well not really with me) but in general until the Christmas tree goes up.  Thats the corner I used last year and I think I liked it.


Total Cost of this project: $ 0.00

Fence:   Was a scrap in the garage
Wreaths:  Had from past seasons
Sign:  Piece of  broken fall decoration


UPDATE:  SORRY I MADE SOME LAST MINUTE CHANGES TODAY....(I'VE TOLD YOU ALL THAT I RARELY LEAVE SOMETHING THE WAY I FIRST MAKE IT)

                                            This is what is in the living room area now as of  Sunday 7p.m.

And I liked it so much, I went into the garage and pulled out 3 single pieces and nailed them together and made a nice fall piece for the front porch.

The items of the second fence project were all exsisting (FREE) except the little orange pumpkin that my 3 1/2 year old picked out today at the farmer's market ($.75)