Blessed to be an American
I’m going to get a little personal on this post. My mom was taught as a child to be very proud of America, to be patriotic, to revere the flag and to respect our freedom. However, due to our religious affiliation during my childhood, she did not raise me to be patriotic. I know it is one of her regrets. Mom, it’s okay!
As an adult I’ve grown to love our country and to know how blessed I am that I was born an American. I do not take my freedoms for granted. That is why I just love decorating for the July 4th Holiday. I love the colors, Uncle Sam, the fireworks and celebrating all of it. I really love the creative way people make food that celebrates our Independence. As you know this blog is not about food, so I am not posting any pictures of food here (maybe next year). However, I am imagining a cake with white icing, red strawberries and the bluest of blueberries. YUMMY!
My first thing to do is put out my patriotic door wreath. I love it and I leave it up as long as my family will let me. I created it from a Pinterest post and I just love it. It was easy and definitely a Pinterest success! Here is a link behind the pin where I first found it: http://www.creativecapitalb.com/2012/02/ruffled-patriotic-wreath-tutorial.html Follow my board for more wreath’s & door decor ideas. After all, when you are entertaining the first welcome your guests enjoy is what greets them at the door.
Next is the entry. I just love my vanity in the entry, mainly because, it is different! My plan is to repaint it, just haven’t got the full design worked out in my mind yet. To honor our freedom and those who fight for it in 2013 our entry decor was simple, yet fun, bright and shiny! I had purchased a lot of big beautiful patriotic ornaments from a local virtual garage sale site the previous Christmas. I was so excited to unwrap and enjoy them.
One thing I love about the vanity is that I can hang another wreath on the mirror. This is not another wreath, but I keep thinking I could make one next year. Here I have a ribbon with the various sizes of these wonderful flag ornaments. On the left is a beautiful silver punch bowl that we inherited from my husband’s grandparents. It is so precious to me that I cannot bear for it to be stuck away in a cabinet. I use it as often as I can and here it is perfect. Don’t you agree?
On the right a very tall glass vase filled with yet more ornaments. The vase was a clearance find at Target. I use it frequently for all kinds of decorating. It’s great filled with Easter eggs on the mantle!
3 Tips to Gold Star Decor
When you decide to decorate for Independence Day or any occasion, map out your ideas first. Here are 3 tips to get you started:
1. Start with an inspiration piece. This display is all about those gorgeous ornaments. In my Valentines Entry Decor, my inspiration was the heart “wreath” I had created from candy canes.
2. Backdrop is important. Note the silver punch bowl, the round mirror under the vase and candles, the oval silver bowl in the center, all work together with the vanity mirror to create the backdrop of reflections for the entire display. With other displays I’ve used burlap, lace, and other neutral backgrounds.
3. Don’t forget the details. The little Uncle Sam stovepipe hat candles are a detail that adds a little whimsy (maybe some day I will break down and light them, they are just too cute!). The ornaments hanging on the ribbon over the mirror are graduated in size and evenly distributed to balance the entire display. I even carefully placed the ornaments in the bowl and in the vase so the red, white and blue would be displayed evenly.
The best tip I can give you is to have fun with it! Decorating is what you do that makes your house a home, makes your guests feel welcome, and, hopefully, adds to your personal joy. Thanks for taking the time to read my post, I hope you come back soon for more.
Blessings,
Lauree
…keep dancing the dream!
