Fall-Halloween Porch 2020

It's been a long time since I've incorporated Halloween into my front porch! I found the cutest pumpkin topiaries this year in orange and black that completely influenced this year's front porch. Except for changing the ribbon on last year's semi-DIY magnolia wreaths I didn't have to buy anything else. My goal was to go completely faux this year. Life is too busy to worry about keeping real plants alive!

Aren't these the cutest pumpkins?! They can also be separated so you can have a different look year to year. I put them in planters I already had to give them a bit of height. Then I added orange berry stems in between each pumpkin. 

The wreaths are the same semi-DIY magnolia wreaths from last year. I just changed the ribbon from the green one to the plaid.  Oh, I did add battery operated lights to them. All of the decor lights up this year. What's the point of decorating if you can't see it?! If your favorite decor, mums or pumpkins aren't lit just drape an inexpensive battery operated strand with a timer around it. That's what I did with the  wreaths. I have the exact strand linked below. 

You might notice the pumpkin reflection in the window. Our dog, Mario, keeps barking at them. My husband finally pointed out that he probably thinks there are two little kids at the door!

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It's Getting Spooky Outside!

We're ready for trick or treaters! I just love the way the Halloween decorations turned out this year. Hanging lights outside is one of those things I never want to do, but it's the boys favorite part of holiday decorating. 

If you remember, this is how I decorated my fall porch.

I just added a trick or treat sign to the planter, pumpkin lanterns to the ceiling (Michael's), and grapevine garlands with lights to the exterior arch. I didn't want to remove any of the decor because I liked it the way it was. I like it even better now!

We also have the dreaded blow-ups in the yard. Everyone in the family loves it but me. My husband warned me he is going to decorate the front yard this year for Christmas, and blow-ups are the first thing he's going to buy. Maybe I can get the porch?

Fall Front Porch

My front porch is all decked out for fall! This is my favorite fall porch yet. I usually just throw a couple of pumpkins and mums outside without too much thought and it's fine, but this year I went all out with double wreaths and a variety of fall plants in the planters. 

Here comes Mario the minute I open up these doors!

I used crocus, kale, mum and a trailing purple vine in each planter. I just love the mix of colors. 

I only bought two small pumpkins because it's still warm here and there's a chance I may have to replace them before Halloween.

I found the wreaths at Hobby Lobby. I decided on something minimal since there are two of them and really wanted to use traditional autumn colors because they pop against the brown brick and stone. It was also nice they were 40% off!

Even though it's still warm here, the evenings have been pleasant enough to sit outside. We had the best time this weekend barbecuing, swimming and watching TV on our back porch. I just love this time of year!

Outdoor Spaces

It's the most wonderful time of the year! For enjoying outdoor spaces, that is. Alfresco meals, doors and windows thrown open to let the breeze in, heated pool for the kids, and margaritas on the patio at local restaurants were the highlights of my weekend. We are beginning the best season for weather in Houston and I'm planning on taking full advantage of it before summer hits. One of the things I love most about my house is the number of outdoor spaces I have to enjoy this great weather.

The front porch




The pool







And the balcony off the master bedroom

That's a lot of outdoor spaces for a fairly small home. How small? I'm not sure if I've ever revealed this before, but my home is just under 2300 square feet. When you have three boys, an escape room is important. Outdoor areas are perfect since the yelling from inside is muted.

Besides the plants I killed, the front porch and balcony are in pretty good shape. I never really got to finish the pool area last year since most of the décor was sold out by the time our pool was finished. Here are a few things I have my eye on to finish it off.




I really wanted this black and white striped umbrella last year from Ballard Designs, but considering I needed two of them I could not justify the cost and went with plain red ones. I'll be watching these at the end of summer for a good sale and a coupon. I have to at least get two seasons out of my red ones. Isn't the black and white so chic?

Pool loungers are at the top of my list!





I've also decided to put in palm trees behind our waterfall. I feel like the rocks need a bit of softening. Have you ever priced palms? They can be insanely expensive and it's so hard to decide which ones to buy since there are so many varieties. I'm leaning towards the Mediterranean Palm because they're pretty. We'll see what my yard guy says tomorrow about these. I hope he doesn't burst my bubble by telling me they shed or won't grow well in this climate. He'll be planting the trees for me because I don't trust my planting skills. Painting, yes. Planting, no.


This is probably my first project that doesn't require woodwork, paint or any elbow grease at all on my part. I could get used to this!