I have ponytail envy. My friend Shauna is one of my absolute most favorite people in the world and I adore her but I’m jealous of her ponytails. She somehow manages to achieve that elusive goal of having them look perfectly imperfect.
You know what I’m talking about right? Where they’re just a tad bit messy and yet still look styled so beautifully that she could probably get away with wearing a ponytail to meet the queen. She would be curtsying and rocking that ponytail like nobody’s business!
Alas, I have been sadly unable to achieve ponytail perfection.
One day as we sat on the floor of our playroom with the kids running all around us, I told Shauna about my ponytail envy. In true Shauna fashion (which is why I love this girl!) she first laughed hysterically with me and then quickly pulled the rubber band out of her hair letting loose her perfect ponytail so that she could show me how it’s done.
Gather the hair low, put the rubber band around it, pull the rubber band down a little bit, tighten a little bit, repeat, pull some strands loose, tuck some in, etc., etc.
I did everything she said. Followed her instructions to the letter. And my ponytail looked NOTHING like her ponytail. So she tried her hand at it. She gathered my hair low, put the rubber band around it, pulled it down a bit, tightened, pulled, tightened, pulled, tightened, etc., etc. And still, even with her magic touch, my ponytail paled in comparison to hers.
And that’s when we both realized the truth. My ponytail would never look like her ponytail because my hair is completely different from her hair! It was a lost cause.
And I think that this year I finally realized that my front porch is a lot like those ponytails.
I see the porches with the rocking chairs or the porch swings in all of their farmhouse/cottage-y glory and I’ve secretly wanted mine to look like theirs.
But I live in a stucco Mediterranean style home. It has a big, beautiful arch and a giant window over the door. I loved it the first time I saw it and yet somehow over the years, I’ve tried to make it something that it’s not.
I’ve tried to ‘cute’ it up. I’ve tried to make it look vintage-y or cottage-y or farmhouse-y.
And it just never seemed quite right.
So, just as I let go of my ponytail dreams and embraced my ridiculously thick hair which has been known to break more than a few ponytail holders, I’ve embraced my porch and decided that this year I wouldn’t try to make it something it’s not. I would simply pull it back and let it just shine for what it is.
Crepe Myrtles purchased on clearance for $12 frame the door beautifully. And as their leaves change color and begin to fall they perfectly reflect the season.
When I saw the giant yellow chrysanthemum in the burlap bag with the definition printed on the front at WalMart I thought, “I’ll bet I could make that!”
And then I realized that I didn’t have to. Because someone else already did. So I just bought it and simplified my life like I’m simplifying my porch.
You know, I think my porch and my hair both breathed a sigh of relief this year.
They were happy that I stopped trying so hard. Stopped fussing. Stopped wishing they were something else.
And something amazing happens when you let got and embrace something just as it is.
Suddenly, you are able to appreciate it’s beauty in a new way.
Now, I’m not saying that I’ve given up on ponytails altogether. Or my porch.
I’m just giving them a much deserved repreive!
Ooh I so needed this post today. To let it go and let it be and embrace what it is, is to show love and respect. And it goes for all things- not just front porches. Thanks again!
I love your porch and front door! So pretty and welcoming!
Oh I am so with you!! Tiny little brick porch in a hot Texas town today….still beautiful though.
Beautiful porch!!! Where did you get your hanging door basket?
I got it at Joanns craft store Judy and then filled it up with the fall goodies! 🙂
Thank you! I be stopping by JoAnn’s ASAP!!!
I have to say that I think your door decorations is the BEST I have ever seen. You rock!
Oh thanks so much Elaine!!
You are so funny (and the best writer) … you didn’t need to give your porch a reprieve because you’ve always decorated it beautifully, no matter the season! I love how you chose to fashion it this Fall season … it’s gorgeous … perfect choices! Now, I’m jealous of that fabulous thick hair of yours!
Love you friend! 🙂
This is so, so true!! Yes…we have to be true to ourselves, our homes. We could go crazy otherwise! And thanks for saying you just bought the mum instead of trying to make it. If the price is okay, go for it. Not everything we do has so be lauded in Blogland. Please yourself! And thanks for your honesty!
Jane xx
Thanks for your sweet words Jane!
Love your planters and that basket wreath is amazing.
Thanks Marty! 🙂
Your front porch is perfect, love the basket!!
Thank you so much Kelly!
I don’t know what you’re talking about, you always have gorgeous front porch pictures! I love the basket instead of the wreath, pinned that idea for next year. 🙂
Anna
I love your front porch for its simply-stated elegance. Just beautiful!
I live in Nashville & am looking for crepe myrtles…they’re all over $100 some near $200. Where did you find yours for $12? They are a bit smaller, but that’s great! Love your style! Cheryl Ann
Ahhh…I too live in a stucco house with a roof that looks like the first tiles of clay, straw and ahem other organic matter that was formed around the shins of the Indians by Father Junipero Serra. And his leaders. Thus cutie? I tried. Urns look good. So I bought a second urn yet my space is so narrow compared to your walkway. I do have an open area to the left and as I gazed at my slowly disintegrating hmm things in landscape in Mediterranean areas?? I thought….ah ha!! Move them to that from area. Do make one mini garden in my oval pot from Italy setting on my broken tile table from Italy but realize my house won’t look French nor like a southern manor nor a graciously large home. But I will play up its fine features!!! I have some pony packs. Dare I play and make my little mini garden right now?? It shall “seem” Mediterranean because of the pot and arch and such. I thank you for your positive post. Beautiful too!!!
I love that you went with your version of Fall decor! I too went with what I had & did not use many neutrals though they are very popular this year. Everyone’s style is different & that’s what makes ‘Blog world” go around! I love it!!
Paige.Rose
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
I have always had ponytail envy too – my perfectly messy ponytail never looks good! Your porch however, is beautiful!
It’s so lovely Vanessa…I’m struggling with doing my front porch because my ferns are so gorgeous right now, that it would hurt me to pull them out just to fill with fall stuff…:( Time to get creative…thanks for the inspiration…xo
I totally feel the same way about people who rock cute ponytails! Mine never look as cute as theirs! And your porch is so beautiful! Love the pops of yellow!
Your porch looks great, Vanessa! I love the crepe myrtles and the burlap chrysanthemum (I’m sure I spelled that wrong) definition. I wish I had more of a real porch, too, but “it is what it is” so I make the best of what I’ve got. Glad to see that you do, too! : )
Thanks so much Kathy! 🙂
Ahh! This is SO gorgeous! Love every little detail, working on my own fall porch today, so inspiring!
I don’t have a perfect ponytail or a perfect front porch, but I do know how to shop! Loved this post xoxo
Thanks girl! Shopping is definitely something I know how to do too! 😉
And with that, life is so much easier and enjoyable! Your porch looks elegant, grown-up and very inviting. Wait until those crepe myrtles bloom! Oh they are going to be extra beautiful then!! Happy Fall friend 🙂
Oh yes and yes! And the porch is amazing!
I just adore this post. I have been dealing with the same issues with my porch this year. It’s a new space for me and the door is beautiful and I just can’t bring myself to ‘cute-it-up’, heck I can’t even get myself to put a wreath on it, gasp. I absolutely love what you did, it’s classy and elegant yet full of festivity. Beautiful job.
I can’t wait until I can wear a ponytail…actually I have been wishing for a braid that can be pulled over to the side. Those are so cute. I have a few years to go with that! Your porch is stunning. The black door grounds the space nicely and I love that burlap bag on the mums! Happy Fall! ~Michelle
You should never have “envy” of anything…being a porch or a “white kitchen”….as you take what you have and make into something that is beautifully your own…your signature…and by doing just that…you present a home that is so warm and inviting for your family and friends…saying “welcome to OUR home”…gorgeous Fall porch Vanessa…the perfect entry to a most beautiful home.
I loved this post, Vanessa! The thing about envying what other people have is that the grass always seems greener on the other side, but it rarely often is! I am fortunate to have a big front porch and I do love it but, guess what? It’s expensive to decorate. I often wish I didn’t have my front porch because it just takes so much time, effort and money to get it looking just so. Everything can be beautiful no matter what the size or the style. Your front door is proof — looks fantastic and I love it! Great job!
Great post, beautiful porch & amazing words! When we all learn how let go of those insecurities it is like a screen has been lifted before our eyes and we could now see and appreciate all that we have!
I love your post! I also love that basket on the front door! 😉 Where did you find that? 😉
You are awesome girlfriend, do you know that? You make me smile everyday. I too am so frustrated with my porch. It’s not decorated at all. The neighbors all know my job, and have asked when I’m going to decorated it! Ha! Your porch is simple and lovely. Thanks for the smile today!
I looked at your wreath on the front door and just drooled. You do so many things well.
Hello, would you share the colors of your exterior stucco and trim? I love it and wouldbe so appreciative to know.
Thanks!
Jennifer