I was watching GMA while composing this post and was stopped in my tracks. On screen was a mommy blogger who quit her blog. Saying what she posts is a false version of her life. How she’s fabricating content. Oh, and she earns $1,500 for a sponsor post (which, by the way, is not what I earn for sponsored content).
Cut to George and Robin and Michael and Laura and Amy sitting on couches discussing the need to be authentic.
Always be authentic.
And it got me thinking, am I misrepresenting myself here on the blog? I hope not. But perhaps … unknowingly?
Do I share a homogenized version of my life and my home? Yes, guilty. But do you really want to see the power cords and dust bunnies and dog hair? Should I share how my living room really looks with pillows tossed on the floor and flowers dying in vases and tea cups and textbooks on ottomans and a couch that always looks like an unmade bed? Should I share the dining room with the printer parked in the corner and three days worth of mail piled on the dining room table? The kitchen with the dishes in the sink and crumbs on the counter top and the stove that needs a serious scrubbing?
And it had me kicking myself for not taking a ‘before’ picture of the screen porch before we cleaned it up this weekend. You’ll have to trust me on this, but it was a mess. Filled with a winter’s worth of junk that was literally tossed out the back door ….
and onto the screen porch.
And while the ‘after’ is a huge improvement to the junk pile, it certainly has it’s share of flaws. And issues. So in the name of full disclosure … and authenticity … I thought I’d get real about the screen porch.
Let’s start with the rug. It’s seen better days – especially since it lives year-round on the porch. Admittedly, I should roll it up and store it somewhere during the winter. Only, not sure where that somewhere could be. 😉
The drop cloth tablecloth has suffered a similar fate as the rug. What you can’t see is the giant ripped seam that I’ve covered up with the white table cloth.
The benches with pillows look like a smart seating solution for the porch. But, admittedly, no one sits there. Ever. It’s just not comfortable.
The lighting could use some help as well. The string lights are just too bright. And the drum shade is for show. An LED clipped inside the shade doesn’t offer much in the way of lighting.
So I’m ready to admit screen porch defeat and introduce a new, more functional design.
A couch for some back porch lounging and reading. A mix of wicker and metal chairs around the table just because I like a mix of wicker and metal chairs around a table. And speaking of the table, we need a much better solution. The current one is too small and too plasticy and too wobbly …
And the best (or perhaps worst) part? I’m making the table. By myself. Using just a drill. And some clamps. Oh, and screws of course. So wish me luck. Because as you read this, I’m drilling and clamping away …
🙂
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I can’t wait to see what you do! And the first rule of life should be: thou shalt not be phony. Too many bloggers out there are, which is why I’ve quit reading most. You, Bliss, Cassie, Karen and a few others are it. (And I’ve noticed…the over-50 crowd is keeping it the most real. So HA to the youngsters!)
Good morning! All for authenticity. Nope, don’t need to see your piles of mail, books, etc., I have my own! Want to see the duct tape covering the lifted seam in my linoleum?? It kind of matches!
Honesty in how to do something with what did and didn’t work (and why, if possible) is what I appreciate. There are some blogs I’ve given up on – some seemed to have completed the diy of their homes and now just fill in with non-diy/ non -decorating posts in hopes of continuing the blog.
Your new porch design looks wonderful and I look forward to following along! I don’t comment often, but check out each post. You do a great job!
Your porch looks amazing Linda! And no, I really don’t want to see bloggers messy houses other than the occasional before photo! I recently read a post by a very popular blogger that was supposed to show what her house really looked like on the average day, and it was so phony baloney staged I was embarrassed for her! I personally don’t have time to read blogs about mess I make plenty of my own!
I have all the dust bunnies I need to see. I dream of possibilities when I read blogs, not what I already am dealing with. Show me freshly pressed drapery panels, perfect pantries, lush towels, new down sofas and let me fantasize! Yes, address space limitations, oddly shaped spaces, quirky lighting, and weird colorful combos. I’m here for the fun!
I am cleaning my porch also. We moved in a year ago and had to put off getting it all ready after winter. I think you are authentic. I find I forget to take the messy before pics because I am excited to get started. Can’t wait to see your porch. I am at cottage-wishes.blogspot.com let’s see if I can get my porch together. Have fun Di
Can’t wait to see your porch too! 🙂
Ah ha, reality,, honesty, what a concept. Sometimes when I read a post on some blogs I wondered what really goes on; their kids don’t ever pitch a fit in a store, They can afford to buy whatever they want when – but a little alluding to having to save for something might be more comforting. What are hubs and I only people who had it pretty hard during recession?
After reading lots of blogs I got it – bemoaning troubles isn’t how bloggers should conduct their blogs – can sure understand that, who wants to read about everybody elses’ problems let alone live with your own.
But all is not sunshine in our worlds and letting people know life isn’t bowl of cherries in passing might be ok. At least now I can admit (which have done) my sewing room is hardly presentable, (craft room either). Have we opened can of worms in case some folks can’t contain themselves? guess we’ll have to see..
I commend you Linda for pointing out what I’ve wondered about for some time. Good for that Mom blogger on tv admitting it. Good thing you all can’t see what I look like while typing this commentary, nope not gonna tell ya.lol.
Have great day and week, enjoy summer.
So sorry, forgot to mention how much I like your post about porch. To me looks pretty good as is. Aren’t most of us more critical of our own homes than somebody just dropping by who tells us it looks good? If you think your porch is sight for sore eyes can hardly wait to see your new and improved version. You mean I’m not only sometimes lazy person to let some things “go”?Honestly our house is often messy but not dirty. Believe me it was very hard for me to let some things go on some days.
How long do we have to wait to see your “new” porch?Happy daze nice lady
oh my goodness. i love it all. You will have to tell me all about the ikea couch as I was looking at one for when we screen in one of our porches. I am excited to see what you come up with.
This is amazing! We have a sunroom that is currently an eyesore for our house and I feel inspired to make it better. Not only that but thank you for striving to be authentic. It’s really hard to read blogs with all of these seemingly perfect lives when you have toddlers with no clothes on running around refusing bathtime, food burning on the stove and a house that is messy and feel alright, but I love when people make an effort to show what’s real! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much for your very kind words!!! 🙂