Monday, December 3, 2018

Christmas Magic on the Porch

Welcome to Christmas Porches and Holiday Decor Blog Hop hosted by Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home.


If you are following the blog hop in order then you just visited Shannon of Belle Bleu Interiors - I love her gorgeous style.


And now I welcome you to our humble little cottage.


In 1928, when our house was built, this was the front of our house and the view people saw as they strolled down the sidewalk to the beach.


When the sidewalks were fenced off in the '60's, the back porch became the front of our house.


I love the details of the true front porch and have fun decorating it throughout the year.


The bells are one of the few items I bought for Christmas decor this year yet I struggled to find a place for them to hang.


It's one of my favorite vignettes I created this holiday season.


I am looking out the door at this view as I sit on the window seat writing my post and it makes me smile.


I have had fun dressing up junk as Christmas decor


like this old lantern.


It's amazing what a little greenery and ribbon can do to everyday objects.


I buy holiday tea towels yet never let anyone use them so this year I turned a few of the towels into pillows- I'm big on using what I already have in new ways to get a different look.


Some of you might question leaving all of this out on the porch, but we live in Southern California where sadly it rarely rains- I did have to bring everything in the other night when rain was in the forecast and it sounds like I'll have to do the same this week.


All the decor on the covered porch just stays right where it is.


For any of you "eagle eyes" out there, this is the photo in the collage for the hop, but one of the good things about taking pics for my blog is that I can redo things that I don't think are quite right.


I "liked" the original design, but the version on the right is just a notch better.


And now, 'tis the season of Christmas porches and time for you to visit Katherine of Katherine's Corner- you're in for a treat!


 Have fun with the rest of the tour.


31 comments:

  1. Those bells are wonderful, Carol. As always, everything is simply lovely...and magical! Excited to be joining the tour with you! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

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  2. Such a truly charming porch! I absolutely adore the bells. They make my heart sing.

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  3. I just love your porch and how welcoming it is. You have created a lovely Christmas entryway for your guest!

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  4. Your porch is always so fun, Carol! I love the way you always add vintage touches. Happy Holidays!!!

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  5. Love all you decorations. Enjoyed this post very much. Have a blessed day and a wonderful week. Madeline

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  6. Adorable. I loved hearing about how the back porch became the front. So fun.

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  7. Fun and Festive has got to be your middle name. It's always so happy! And you are right, it's amazing what a little greenery and ribbon can do. Merry Christmas!

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  8. I simply adore your gorgeous entryway! I love your vintage gas lantern. And you're right - what a little greenery and ribbon can do! So happy to be hopping with you!

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  9. I need your outdoor decorations would be fun, my favorite id the greenery in the old lantern.
    I can't imagine living where there is no rain.I woke up this morning to fresh snow flurries, and it is cold also very windy

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  10. Everything is looking great. Love the pillows you made. Funny when we buy linens and don't let anyone use them. I have done it.

    Cindy

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  11. I love your junk-inspired decor for Christmas! Right up my ally! Nice that you can leave all that cuteness out in the open! Enjoy the Christmas season!

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  12. As always your decorating inside or out makes me feel happy! You have the magic touch. Happy Christmas!

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  13. As always, Carol, your decor is an absolute delight! You are so lucky you can leave your decor out. All we can leave out here is pine and some Christmas lights. ;-)

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  14. Love your festive porch Carol. So pretty and magical.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  15. Carol,
    I love your new bells! Your house always makes me happy to visit. I leave your site with a smile on my face every time.

    Merry Christmas,

    Judith

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  16. Loving your porch so much!! Love the sweet vintage details!!! Simply beautiful!!!
    ~Emily @ LeCultivateur.com

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  17. Happy happy season to you dearest Carol! You have certainly decked your porch with the most welcoming California-style Christmas décor!

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  18. It's so festive, Carol! I'd love to make a visit to that porch -- I'd feel welcome before I even knocked on the door!

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  19. Your porch and garden areas are always a favorite! They look so warm and inviting no matter what the season or time of year. I love the vignette you've created too. You constantly inspire me with the way you pick out vintage pieces and mix them with new things like the pillows. It's all just fabulous. Hugs, CoCo

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  20. It always just blows me away at the magical look of your decorating. I have been so lucky to learn a few of your decorating tricks and many many times, I have had a spot or two..or a window sill, that needs something...and I go to your blog, take a look at a few posts and almost always find just what I love in your adorable home...then, I search MY house to find things that copy your style....so much fun.

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  21. Carol, you have such a great eye, no matter the season. What I love most though, is that you always mention that you had so much fun decorating. Decorating, dressing up the house, it should be fun...and your joy definitely shows in all of your beautiful touches! Enjoy!!

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  22. I chuckled when I saw the title of the post as the idea of putting anything outside that weighs less than 10 pounds is not realistic for life in this part of Greece in December. Another huge windstorm swept through last week upending pots filled with plants and dirt, breaking branches of roses and other in-ground plants. I tried a wreath at the entry to our steps last year. I suspect it ended up in Albania or Algiers! I'll enjoy them on your blog!! :-)

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  23. Your porch is charming! I love your hanging bells and especially love your sewing machine table and the beautiful vignette that you created for the top of it. I love history and it's fascinating to me to think about people strolling to the beach on the sidewalk in front of your home long ago. I enjoyed seeing your porch and am looking forward to more of your decor this Christmas.

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  24. So pretty, Carol! So peaceful! As I was reading your blog your photos blessed me with feeling peaceful. Thank you!
    Happy Holidays!
    Terry

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  25. You have created a peaceful porch with only a few items. My favourite is the bells. They are lovely! We get a lot of rain, wind, and snow here so it's not safe to have anything like your bells hanging outside. In fact I have to make sure the front door wreath is good and sturdy or it will blow off and land in someone's yard. I would love to live in a place where there is no wind! Or snow for that matter. Merry Christmas, Carol!

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  26. What a pretty porch decorated for Christmas! Those bells are beautiful! I love the white sewing machine table and how you have dressed up all your pretty junk for Christmas. I agree that greenery can do so much!

    I love the Beatles sign too! You have creating a FAB Christmas porch

    Thanks for joining the hop! Merry Christmas!

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  27. Carol, the bells are darling! Easy to see why it is one of your favorite vignettes. You have a knack for making everything look beautiful. Yes, you have the golden touch!!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  28. Carol, your porch looks just perfect. I always love what you do. Yes, lack of rain seems to be the downfall of us Californians for the last few years. Love your bells. I bought some bells for a special place and then didn't use them there and couldn't find a place for them either. Your's look great in the vignette..Happy Weekend..Judy

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  29. Carol, I always enjoy a visit to you beautiful cottage. Everything always looks so pretty, and your outdoor Christmas decor is no exception. I'm so sorry that I am late commenting. My youngest has been very sick with the flu. It is always so much fun to tour with you. Merry Christmas!!!

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  30. t looks beautiful and a bit of whimsy too, perfect! I love the duck and the tea towel pillow! It’s a pleasure being on the tour with you. Hugs P.S. pinned

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