Tracy Porter Blog… be inspired!

Hi Tracy and John,
I want to tell you how much I enjoy your website, enthusiasm and joyfulness towards life every day! I have been “following” you since your Stonehouse days! I LOVE the books you have written and find so much inspiration in your ideas and attitude about everything! The cooking segments are wonderful, the decorating tips are SO fun, and I love the opera and the cute little flip of your arm, Tracy! Did you know you do that? Haha! I think it’s wonderful your whole family is a part of your dream. I feel honored to be able to share it all with you, even just a little. Keep up your amazing work…all of it! I can’t imagine how much energy it takes, but you really are an inspiration and a gift in many ways! Thank you!
K

Tracy and John,
I love your generosity and happy spirits!
Thank you for sharing not only your talents but your love for each other. Love is the foundation for everything, the most important of all. Keep on romancing life!!

I know I say this about every video but this one is TRULY inspiring in a whole life kind of way.
Thanks so much for letting us into your world, I look forward to seeing where your journey takes you. OXOX, Jennifer

JOHN and TRACY…What a GIFT you two have for sharing your lives….you have said it before and it is soooo true that the more you give the more you get….Some people want to hoard their knowledge and keep it to themselves….”that is a secret family recipe”….”oh I’m not sure how we did it it just came to us”….somehow feeling that if other people know their secrets it won’t be as special or their “competition” will learn more and begin to take over….but oh how the opposite is true!!! I will have people say to me do you mind if I copy that or can you tell me how you did that…where did you get that…I take that as the biggest compliment! I feel that a major part of your success…aside for the obvious talent, long hours, hard work, is your ability to share yourselves….make everyone around you feel important, loved, special…you exude life and all that is good…it is contagious!!! THANK YOU for being who you are and more than that sharing it will all of us!!! What a blessing!!!

O, John and Tracy Porter, you two are darling!
Indeed, I will stay tuned to see what happens next!!!
Go, Team Porter! Raising my glass to you!
mary

Oh, and Tracy,
I made your DILL AND SOUR CREAM NEW POTATOES the other night and they were so delish! I added crumbled bacon on top of each serving and yum!
I didn’t have fresh dill, I had to use dried, but it was still very good. I can hardly wait to plant my herb garden for this year.
Thank you!

Congratulations you two on your achievements in business and in life. It’s the American dream and you are living it. Your honesty comes forth in your designs and how you present yourselves. Both your parents must be proud as punch. I’m proud of you and I don’t even know you. Keep living your dream and we’ll all be there to enjoy your efforts.

TRACY and JOHN~ I have tears in my eyes watching this…you mentioned that your inspiration comes knowing that you’re helping people take something and use it to make their lives better. This is just the push and affirmation I needed to “just figure it out”. Honestly, times are tough right now and the future is uncertain, for us, and I’m sure for many others. For a while I’ve been mulling over a way to help contribute finacially to our family. Along comes this video and you’ve given me the confidence to choose my path! Thank You doesn’t cover the gratitude I feel for you dear friend. I will surely keep you posted on what is to come!
With deepest affection,
Lisa Bickerstaff

JOHN AND TRACY….Well, I’m fully ferklempt at
watching this video…..When I first discovered your web site, completely by accident, I was googling lighting for our new house. I looked at the entire web site for three or four days, all videos, and devoured everything…..and was blown away. I thought…
WHERE have you been and how come I haven’t seen this before, blah blah…. I remember the first time I blogged it was about your
philosophy of no rules in decorating, and how
to love and use what you have, and it was so
completely LIBERATING, not feeling like I have
to have my house pigeon-holed into a “look”…
Anyway, so I THANK YOU again, for your life, work and family philosophies….and your humble and inspiring story! xoxoxo

JAMIE~ You have such clarity and wisdom, I always find truth in your words, thank you.

John and Tracy – Love it!! You two are sooooo cute!

I love todays segment. To see two people who support each other and believe in each other and have overcome much to reach their goals. You can tell you still really like each other…which isn’t always the case in some partnerships. A great testament for your boys and others. Congrats on your success and keep on inspiring us with your creative ideas.Can’t wait to see whats next.
Jamie
P.S.
John could be a lovely baritone for you and Sara on your “Inspiration Fascination” segments. LOL

OH HAPPY DAY…………THAT WAS JUST WONDERFUL!! ATTITUDE AND POSITIVE THINKING IS DEFINATELY THE KEY………..NOT ONLY IN SUCCESS, IN LIFE PERIOD!!!! Funny, I open my email and hit send and recieve around 9AM my time until you finally come in…….I am thrilled by it all. So many people out their not happy….you have brought a definate spice to my life and as always will pass it on!!

Tracy and John — I enjoyed hearing your story. You have inspired me in so many ways and I thank you for that. What a pleasure to watch your daily videos — however I don’t think I want to share you with the world if you do a TV program/series,etc. ala Martha Stewart. Books are great as a book is something you can hold on to forever. Thank you for the Easter tags — they look so cute as I cut them out with scalloped scissors and used a paper pumch to make a hole at the top of each one and ran ribbbon through the bunch and clumped them together. I tied them together with ribbon to a white Easter basket and wrote Easter greetings on each one. Cute and “cheap” idea! Take care.

I absolutely love your videos! Truly inspirational. Your house is gorgeous and the colors you use are amazing! I love the dark blues, reds, greens and high gloss black. I’ve always thought of myself as a “neutral” decorator but the colors you have chosen are changing my mind. Love it!

The tears are gently streaming down my face as I watch you two and listen to your message of faith and preserverance and love and positive energy! I could have wrote the first post that
Kellie wrote. Ditto. Do you know you guys look at each other with such admiration and love? My parents still look at each other that way.
You are such a blessing to all of us.
Thank you for your beautiful words of wisdom!
How inspiring you are!!…Take this message GLOBAL!!! The world needs you!!…
xoxox Desiree

I wanted the music from your videos and so I looked and read through out your site and wrote to the lady herself….here is her reply. Cool!! For all your Ladies who might want the sound as I do, driving to work or in my home!!

Thank you for your inquiry. World in My Arms is from the CD, Nature’s Bride. It is currently out of hard copy print, but you can purchase the download of the CD here: http://www.cdbaby.com/pwshannon
On the left of the page, under the information that mentions it is out of stock,
you will see a button “Add MP3 to cart” – you can purchase the download this way.
I don’t plan on reprinting this year so this is the best way to get the CD.
My new CD, Courting Autumn is available – hard copy and mp3 at
http://www.cdbaby.com/pwshannon2

Thanks again for your email!
all the best,
Pamela Wyn Shannon

Dear John & Tracy,

First of all I thank you so much for this priceless video. Great lessons you’ve given me through this video segment really is priceless. I’ve already read your story on the “buzz” section but it’s even more meaningful to directly hear it from you guys.

How wonderful & kind of you to help others like me (business newbies) by sharing/giving tips & ideas from your own experience is so inspirational. There are other successful people who’s story is only for themselves (just why???) but your great passion is shared amongst us!

I must say with all the business motivators out there, this is by far the best business lessons I’ve gotten over the last several years. Because I think I can see the true love & passion in you guys… doing what you love and it really shows!

I also do respect that you always strive to improve even after all the success… willing to start all over again (if it fails…) with confidence… precious lessons from harsh failures… all these life lessons are really hitting me in the heart!

Thanks again from the bottom of my heart and as always, keep up the good work!!! BTW, you are a good looking couple… what a bonus! Ha!

Love,
Sophie

I so enjoyed watching this sincere and authentic conversation by you and John. Your story is indeed part of your attraction. I love what you said about perfection. I have learned over the years that there is no perfection, it just has to be perfect for me : ) and you know what? I have learned that it does not take that much for things to feel perfect. Just like you said, the simple things, oh so matter.
And Tracy, yes, you are ready for TV, but more importantly, TV IS READY FOR YOU MY FRIEND!!!!!!! We love you Tracy, and we will be cheering you on all the way. What an important journey lies ahead for you!!!!!

JAIME…Yes!! Love what you wrote!

Tracy, I just adore you, we go way back, you just don’t know it. When you were painting your beautiful Stonehouse Farm Goods furniture pieces so to was I. It was YOU that first inspired me to pick up a paint brush and try!!!!!! Thank you for all the inspiration along the way, your books have been a great guide, I look forward to more!!!! OH, and than to stumble on your blog back in the fall, Happy Day!!! I couldn’t rest until I had read all of them, afraid I would miss something. You feel like an old friend. John you too are amazing!!!!!! especially the part about base coating Tracys furniture pieces, my husband will have to view todays blog, maybe even he will be inspired. My family hears the music from the blog and knows that i will now have a project, it could be moving the furniture, cooking or crafting, it’s all good!!!!!

Tracy I hope to see you shortly on Oprah, what a wonderful thing sharing your talents, with the world, you go girl!!!!! I’m calling her TODAY!!!!!

May all the dreams you’ve ever had come true for YOU!!
LOVE KRISTI

P.S. Colorado girls wish I had made it for coffee, next time, I’m in colorado springs, near the zoo, where to all you peacock fans I am lucky enough to hear their calls, and also the lions, what a treat!!!

Hi John & Tracy,

Thank you so much for your inspiring words and insight. My husband is a real estate broker – need I say more of how our financial situation is right now. So out of that I/we started a little business making tea towels and pillows, we have been really blessed so far with orders and having fun creating together in our own “chicken coop”. And my hubby would say you are never too old to begin your dreams! I appreciate your words, as we want to take this little ride a bit further, and now I can see a direction. And believe me I know all those “NOs” you hear only makes one more determined.

Thank you, thank you.

All my best to you,
Teresa
xxoo

You are both so wonderful, and it is no wonder you have done so well and attracted such a following with the philosophy you have and the love you clearly share. A few things:
JOHN – I am the daughter of two Boston College graduates, and the sister of another (GO EAGLES!)!! I was raised watching Doug Flutie take that place to new heights (no pun…on “the heights”…) and went to pretty much every home basketball game with my Dad from when I was 10 to when I was about 15. So glad to know you spent some time here in Massachusetts! Let’s see, you must have been there in the late ’80s, early ’90s?
TRACY – your education and life experiences are every bit as wonderful as any college degree could ever be; ALWAYS be proud of that! I can sure tell you that there are plenty of people who go to college and never, ever come close to reaching the level of wisdom, experience and intelligence you possess!
Thank you so much for this gift of inspiration and for taking the time to explain how you’ve gotten here. Big love to you both!

TRACY AND JOHN, I must say this was almost like a free therapy session. I find you both so inspiring. Finding TRACY PORTER when I did must have been kismet as I’m in a place where my kids are in school full-time and I’m looking to develop some kind of creative business. Just listening to you and hearing your philosophy is comforting. I have a sort-of weird (or wimpy?) question. I fear that my talents are not unique. I see so many more talented people doing things out there that I wonder how could I ever enter the same arena and compete with them in a business setting? Have you ever felt that way? How do you find the thing that sets you apart and grow that portion of yourself and your business? I hope I’ve worded this correctly. Perhaps some the other “durls” out there have experienced some similar feelings and concerns.
Thank you again for all you do in every way!!

John and Tracy XOXOXOXO hugs and kisses to both cheeks!!!! Your philisophy is so right! Keep on going a little each day, problems are just learning experiences and together we can do anything!!!! Hey there is an X in experience, but in the world today X also means “bit fat kiss!”
Lisa…so glad you had your moment of clarity. Please keep us posted don’t every be afraid to ask for help, opinions or use your network–your friends here and at home are a wealth of “everything” so work it Baby!! You go durl!!
Jamie…I wish I had your way to saying things, but all I can say is I second that emotion!!

Kellie, Jennifer, Mary, jennifer, Sandy M, and Kelly…good morning sweet peas. I know your morning has had a great start as mine has. To steal a phrase from Robert Duval “There’s nothing like a taste of Porter in the morning!”

Have a great one,
xoxo Deborah and the gang ~..~ ^..^ ~..~

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Television – is a natural next step for the two of you & I am looking forward to watching what you create.

John & Tracy~WOW..thank you for sharing your story and your lives with all of us…I don’t know how on that day back in Oct 07 I stumbled upon your blog, BUT have NEVER been the same since!…TRACY~you have inspired so many wonderful changes in my home, my closet…well, my life and I LOVE you for it…Many blessings on what the future holds for you ,your business and your precious family….xoxo
D~

TRACY and JOHN,…….WOW!!!!! You two are BRILLIANT!!! and I am loving you… In CAMEO’s book,….There is NO ONE that deserves success more than you two!!!!!!!…..LOVE LOVE LOVE your story and am HUMBLED that you took the time to share this with us…. There is nothing but MORE success in your future,….I feel it in my bones……….As my Hubby always says, and he is a genius ( and my biggest fan)……….. CAMEO is always ahead of the curve……. if she is into it…………watch out,…….it is coming ,…… it will hit,……. and hit hard!!!!!!!….. and loves,….. I am into you!!!!!!……….so GET READY for a futuristic journey!!!!!!!…………. PS…. Am I too Cocky?????
KELLIE, I agree with you about TRACY flipping her precious little hands when she talks,………I just love it!!!….. Glad you mentioned it instead of me,…… I got into trouble last week for mentioning hands!!!!!
Princess DESIREE,……..and ARTIST,……have you to know that DEMITASSE jumped out of bed this am like the Easter bunny,….. ready to go back to school….. CoCo Cameo Kitty must have healing hands,…….and by the way dahlings……..did you know that COCO Chanel once served as a nurse during WW1??????????…….much easier on the mind to picture me now,… isn’t it???????
PAM love,…what’s going on with you today ,my sweet sweet little moma……!!!!
JAMIE,……..the wedding plans you described are blowing my mind………..SIMPLY GORGEOUS my love. I would love to be a butterfly perched on the ivy….watching it all go down!!!! …..Here is my recommendation,.. for a soft, elegant yet sophisticated atmosphere with the beautiful oak trees and Ivy dripping from the trees ( love that description ) I would go one of two ways… 1).. TRACY’s idea with a vibrant pink…..will make those blue hydrangeas just pop!!!!!!… add a fun feeling and create energy and happiness,… or 2) using an analogous color scheme …..playing off of the vibrant blue hydrangeas,……with a medium shade of periwinkle…( a mixture of blue and a lilac shade)… would be just be oooohhhh so sophisticated and soothing for the eyes under the oak trees,….with a beaucoup of clear glass votive candles everywhere….. SO,….. quick picture in your mind…..blue hydrangeas in milk glass vases on a periwinkle topper over a tablecloth the same shade as the milk glass……..with lots of votives/ lanterns flickering under the oak trees…… be still my heart….. 2 suggestions,…with two different feelings ….. no matter what you decide,…as TRACY stated,…..it’s all about love,…..and We just want you to have fun my love….
AND FINALLY…… I am so HHHHHAAAPPPPPPYYYY,…. I am so HHHHAAAPPYYY… guess what sisters…… I just pressed the PURCHASE button on the NEW,white MARITIME BAG and the white TARA sandals!!!!!!!! What classy killers!!!!!!! I’m talking COCO CHANEL baby,…… but TRACY PORTER designed it…. LIFE can’t get any BBBEEETTTTTTEERRR!!!!!!!!!!! Check it out!!!! REBECCA love,.. check out the LLLIINNIIINNNNGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Must go to work loves……
PS TRACY, I love your gold lables you are putting on your bags……….
Cameoxoxox

Okay before I start my little comments…because I have sooo much to say… you can tell me to zip it and get my own dang blog!!!!!!!LOL!

Anyways…I’m speechless..well not really cuz I’m drinking loads of coffee and I have sooo much to say! That video was so awesome,inspiring,beautiful lovely,funny,yadayada… but I mean every word from deep down in my heart!

Before I commented here,I emailed the video to my son and his darling wife(the cutest almost 25 year old couple you ever met!)They are both artists living in L.A. She works for My Space (for health insurance…)hes freelancing..animation,sculpture, you name it! They are just precious! And uber frugal! After 2 years of marriage they paid a bunch of student loans off and went to Europe for 3 weeks-paid with cash!( granted,they seem to have friends wherever they go-so lodging was free!Anyway!! there really is a point to this story! For Christmas I’d asked my son to make his beautiful little nieces a simple doll house! Well Dave doesn’t do anything simple! He got an old trunk from the thrift and turned it into a replica of the Victor Horta house in Belgium! The coolest thing you ever saw!! I’ll send you guys pics! Very kid friendly-he made that thing earthquake proof!All the pieces he just picked up from thrifts and streets of L.A….marble etc!! Its unreal and my grandaughters love it! So they remind me alot of Tracy and John!!!

Okay!! The other thing is that yesterday,my bestest bud and I made the embelleshed cans from Tracys Homestyle book!!!!!! So fun and cheap -who would thunk an old pink salmon can and Almond Roca can could be sooo elegant!
You ladies need to get this book if you don’t already have it!!! Thank you Tracy for putting in such wonderful inexpensive crafts!!!! We are gonna do the boxes next week!!!

Thank you thank you thank you for everything! You’ve made me feel beautiful,inspired me to look at almost everything differantly!!!

Move over Oprah…Tracy Porter has arrived!!!! Love and hugs!!(to all your staff too!)XO

TRACY love,….I also purchased the copper belt to wear with the bag and shoes……Can I wear that belt as a 1/2 hiney belt?????

LadyEM,…I am purchasing your springtime necklace from ETSY today love…… BOY,…… The Easter Bunny has been good to me this year!!!!!!!
Cameoxoxo

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really.

“WOW!!!!”
Can you two GET any cuter????!!!
I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!
(oh, I wish you could UNDERLINE things in this blog area!!!)
Thank you for sharing ‘all the good stuff’ with us in this long awaited and MUCH appreciated video (it is SOOOOOO worth waiting for!!!)
You can FEEL the love you have for EACH OTHER and for LIFE….come RIGHT through the video camera into our rooms!! JAMIE says it PERFECTLY when she writes about SHARING the knowledge and lessons, and creative ideas and all… and how THAT is the “KEY” to living a most beautiful and abundant life! To ‘keep it to ourselves’ simply diminshes our “Light”.
My heart is forever grateful for this “Gift” of this video sweet Tracy and beloved John.
Thank you SO VERY MUCH.
With a heart that is OVER-Flowing with love,
~*~*~*~Sandi

It’s unique to have two gorgeous, successful people have more on the inside than the outside and to be so generous…handing over their secret, encouragement, and enthusiasm. If I take only one thing away to my small, cautious world it will be to “believe in myself” so I can accomplish what lies before me. thank you Tracy and John

Oh TRACY~….
Thank you for checking on me… and John. Yes, he is safe and sound in Germany, visiting with dear friends and their new baby girl, and tomorrow will fly to his homeland of Greece to visit with family and be in the olive groves…
We “Skyped” for the very first time (oooh that sounds a little sassy!) from Germany and it was such fun! I now KNOW how much you must have loved it with your ‘boys’ (all 5 of them!) when you were in Hong Kong with Sarah!)
Yesterday, part of the day, I worked (“played”) on my “TP Sisterhood” Journal… adding things.. (sometimes I print out a pretty border from the site, or photos of things…like the Easter Tags and Placecards and add them to the pages…Also jot down ideas…and email addresses or information that everyone occasionally shares so that I have it ‘all in one place’… Helps me keep things ‘together in my brain’!
Today I will start creating my Easter cards…
Sending a “Sweet Chocolate Bunny Kiss” to each of you…my wonderful sisters.~*~*~*~Sandi

concurring with just about EVERY comment…Brilliant you 2..ABSOLUTELY “FASCINATINGLY” INSPIRATIONAL COUPLE!

I DON’T NEED MY THERAPIST ANYMORE!
A risky statement perhaps since you girl’s don’t know me, but seriously…after having moved to MN (this was our 14th move)… and going through peri-menopause, I thought it was time to spend some time on myself. I started going to a ’spiritually based’ therapist 2 months ago. Seriously…TRACY is the only therapy I need. And could John be any cuter! My husband looks just like John from the top and the back of the head. I love a man with no hair…it’s just plain sexy…
THANKS for all the warm welcomes…I didn’t know that asking about a song would put me into the throws of a group of girls that I already feel as though you could be my friends. It’s amazing what some kind words can do for you…isn’t it!
As we all get our “TRACY FIX”, I wish you all a great day!
THE SUN IS SHINING IN MINNESOTA!
kelly g 0×0

Tracy and John ~ It was great to hear more details of your story. (my husband and I met in Chicago too, right about the same time – though not at a glamourous photo shoot – a sports bar – but through mutual friends!!) And now we’re in WI too but anyway…. I’ve shared your videos with my sisters and their comments were “I think we would be friends!” I think that’s what is so special about you two. You’re very humble and down to earth and connect with people in a very real way. Like everyone comments on the blog, your inspiration boosts us to be our best with a spring in our step. That spring in our step tranlates to happier people all around us! Just imagine the effect when you “GO global!” as Desiree said! Best wishes to your bright journey ahead!! ~ Mary Claire

Playing catch up from late blogs yesterday….
REBECCA…thanks for the shout out about my grandfather and the wedding…we are having too much fun!!
JENNIFER…it seems as if you are hooked = ) It was just yesterday my sweet Hannah was 5 months old and here she is getting married…enjoy EVERY moment they fly by way too fast…you don’t want to look back and “say I wish I…” don’t sweat the small stuff…
TRACY…a picnic with GUS…that’s what I’m talking about!!!…making those memories…putting aside all of the things on your list of things to do and I am sure there are many to have a picnic…that’s why we all love you!!
Oh and about cheap souvenirs…my sister started me on it and it has become my favorite thing to do….everywhere I travel I am on the hunt for heart shaped rocks….you will be surprised how many are out there…when I arrive home a place a scripture that has the word “heart” in it onto the rock using a black sharpie, following the edge of the rock….on the back I put where I found it and the date and then it gets thrown into a heart shaped crystal bowl on a table in my family room….love it!! So if you run a cross a crazy woman with her head down picking up rocks just ignore me and continue on your way =)

Tracy and John,

Your message is so inspiring. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of DREAMING, PERSEVERANCE, WORK, and GOOD INTENTION. You are obviously “mad” for each other! It is so giving of you to share these REAL moments is your story. xoxox

Shawn

Thank y’all so much for this video. How wonderful….very insightful and inspiring as always! You two are so sincere and down to earth…so real! Love that….love y’all!!!

Tracy, thank you for the place cards too….and the sweet ideas on how to use them.

Hugs for your day!

Oh! and my reporter daughter just came by before work and borrowed my Gigi coat!! She looked darling and said..”i’m definately checking out her clothes online!!!” LOVE THEM LOVE YOU LOVE IT ALL! Gotta go take my crazy mutts for a run now!!! Have a beautiful day all!

CAMEO….CAMEO…..how can I thank you….I knew you would have the perfect answer….we kept thinking about a runner but I didn’t think that would be wide enough for the center pieces…but a topper…PERFECT…sometimes you can’t even see what is right in front of you…I just didn’t think a solid table cloth was right…now a creamy white covered with a periwinkle topper…PERFECTION!!! (((Thank you so much!!!))) My daughter is an artist at heart…(She got her degree in Speech Pathology, and after the wedding will begin working on her masters) She painted a hydrangeas blossom and had them framed for each of her hostesses I will have her do one for you if you will email your address for all of your help. JamieHudd@aol.com

JAIME…I won’t ignore you! I’ll be right there with you looking for heart shaped rocks!! I’ve been collecting them for years, ever since my sons starting finding them for me when they were old enough to recognize hearts!!! I love your scripture idea!
CAMEO,…healing hands indeed! I’m sooo happy your heart is back to health!!
Durls…I got the Kelly Green Croc bag and Maldives bracelet yesterday!! They are so glamorous!! They are BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!!! The bag looks like it is worth three or more times the original price!!! That well made!!!
The bag is more of an emerald to my eyes and I like that even more!! It will look great with black jeans, heels, white wrap shirt, Maldives bracelet, Bristol earrings and Dark sunglasses and a silk scarf!!! If I can get my boys to wear black suits and sunglasses and to walk on each side of me I’m just certain everyone will be wondering WHO the celebrity is!!!
ARTIST….The Maldives bracelet is a gallery piece! It is so gorgeous!! I bought one for my sissy’s b-day too!
xoxo Desiree

Oh Tracy and John….You are an adorable, loving, refreshingly honest and down to earth couple. All of the traits that keep me coming back to your blog! I love your laid-back, blue-jean wearing, kick up your barefeet, and have a cocktail attitude!! You invite us into your home to sit by the warm fire and truely make us feel welcome!! Thankyou soooo much for all of your inspiration, hard work and creativity!! You deserve the best that life has to offer!! Sincerely, Erin in Tn.

Oh and CAMEO….you could NEVER be too cocky =)

John and Tracy, I don’t know what to say. I watched your video this morning and it is very difficult for me to put into words what I am feeling. First of all Your parents must be very proud of you, John I am sure you are one of the son in laws in the world like I have and Tracy you are just lovely your mom must be as proud of you as I am of my Dawn. You are a very beautiful couple and delight and inspiration to each other. I walked away this morning with more than I brought to the table. It is incredible that you found each other and that your lives were to move in the same direction. I could just see your faces when they asked your FOB, That is an incredible story and realization of what we can reach with appreciation and baby steps. To appreciate your failures and learn much from them is the height and well being of any life and when I listen to you I realize how this can just apply not only to business but to our everyday lives.You have so much to be proud and happy for and yet there is such a simplicity about you both that truly makes what you what you do so beautiful. Dawn says you have changed so much in her daily living. I see why! I know your future will follow the same morals and loving foundation that you follow today. Thank you for sharing a wonderful story and intimate part of your life. God bless you both.
Mom to Dawn and grammy to plum blossom

Cameo………you deserve a CAMEO…..you are a hoot!!

Oh….you magnificent women. I am lunching with you, and am ready these unbelievable thoughts that you have taken the time to share with us, and i really am just blown away…as i am everyday by your generosity, it oooozes out of your every pore. It is because of you that we are able to fulfill our dreams, and to be on this journey. You have supported us through and through….although times really are tough right now for all, we feel so fortunate to have this growing community. On those days when you really can find up….or you think you have lost your way or you are stumbling about…..i come here and i am entirely pushed and excited to know that no matter what goes on, there is tremendous support. Several of you commented your thoughts on ” making it through” and really it is key to everything. I always know there is light somewhere….it does take time to get to it sometimes…more digging, but it is there. I know that we share the same thoughts…i suppose it is why we connect in the way we do.
Thank you for letting us share our story, we knew it was time to do this video because without you….it wouldn’t have been.
Ok…well…clearly I am getting far to mushy…but…..just had to for a moment!
….tra-la…tra-la…….xoxoxo
T.

TRACY and JOHN….CHEERS to you both! You are both so genuine. You deserve all the success you’ve accomplished. I too, have been a TP follower from way back, your books were always the books I went to for inspiration and now, years later I still am driven towards you and your whole way of life for inspiration in my own life. I just have to share this with you…yesterday while at the grocery store (picking up hyacinths and easter lily’s) a complete stranger came up to me and asked me when I was due and WHERE did I get my Olive crochet cardigan…well, after chatting for what seemed like hours with her we exchanged #’s and we are getting together for coffee. Now, I’ve only lived in this town since Aug. of last year and being pregnant for most of it haven’t gotten myself out there to meet a lot of people outside of my neighbors. I was so thrilled to meet someone who had similar interests….so thank you again TRACY!! I hope we can all meet someday before you get really famous!! (is that selfish of me??) DURLS…I haven’t had time yet to read all the blogs but will go back…hope everyone is happy today! xoxo

Tracy it was your inspiration coupled with that of Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic that helped me to forge my homestyle. If you can just imagine both of them in my home then you will have a great idea of my style. I just love your website, blog and the videos are just down right entertaining and inspirational. I have many of your pieces in my home from handpainted furniture, evelyn collection, rugs, pillows and so much more! Thank you for all that you do. I love to stalk your blog everyday and figure out what I might do next. I think the London Wall idea is next in line. I have great wall space and need something to make it pop. I may not comment often, but I am here more than once a day. It makes my heart happy to just log in and check out what you, Sarah and the whole gang might come up with.

TRACY & JOHN…I try not to be too verbose cuz I know you have so many fans; HOWEVER…y’all absolutely blew me away. This is so very special – so dear of you two…to share with us. I’m always fascinated at others’ lives…how they started…how they persevere, how they LIVE. I am verklempt…in such a tender way. Your life mantras ARE spot on…for parenting too. My dh and I made a pact that we CAN make it through. And, y’all (the Texan in my pops out) are so right. The valleys make us who we are!!!!!! Thank you, thank you for this gift of yourself. It warms me to my toes. AND…thank you for the place cards!!!! Oh, so lovely. (And, quite personal too!) I’d say TV is around the corner…Love to the Porters!

You two are wonderful and I appreciate your energy, honesty, and artistic talent. I have been a fan since before the boys and I have loved watching your company grow. I never miss a day of my Tracy TV. It inspires me with joy in a time when we hear bad news. I am constantly looking at my home and wardrobe in a new way and seeing how I can reinvent Tracy Porter style. Keep up the great work!

You are the absolute sweetest people. I love this video!

Well, I’M fired up! Thanks for giving a peek into you two as a couple–thanks for inspiring me once again. What’s so impressive is how REAL you guys are–down-to-earth, and all that. You gave a message I needed to hear RIGHT NOW and have motivated me to pursue MY dreams.
I am thrilled to hear you’ve got books and TV in your future! In the meantime, I am LOVING your blog–I check it every day and then usually get up, and ‘tweek’ something in my house! I’m working on a “London Wall’ of my own!!
Keep up the great work–your enthusiasm is contagious!!!
Blessings!
Myrna

VALERY love,…. I did receive a….. CAMEO…… today!!!!!…. I am sooooooo thrilled!!!!!!…… I have been invited to the Porters for dinner!!!!!…. I know this because the name tag on her table tells me so!!!!!!!!……..TRACY love,… I shall bring the wine!!!!!! ( several BOTTLES )……..Can we have your Baked Brie as an appetizer?????……… and would you mind seating me away from ARTIST!!!!!!!!….. Love you woman!!!!!!…. I am blushing!!!!!…….
Cameoxoxoxox
PS where is the GRAND DAME of Peacocks today??????

Cameo………what name tag, what am I missing, please tell!!!

Tracy and John, there are no words to describe the gratitude I feel for such beautiful souls as yourselves. Such a rarity and blessing for us to get the chance to actually feel as though we know you on some level. You people are salt of the earth and when you give back it truly comes full circle to you in life. Thank you both so much for being so unselfish and giving…..I truly feel so very fortunate to have found this website and all the glory that comes with it (blogettes).

PAM… I am so happy for you! Tracy’s designs are truly magical, captivating and I believe they attract all goodness to us! How can they not? TRACY and JOHN and the rest of the family at TRACY PORTER all deserve much, much success!…
CAMEO,…your ideas for Jaime sound perfect! I think I will be adding a periwinkle topper to my round garden table in our sunroom. I will think of you and Jaime and the wedding and all the Durls every time I look at it!
xoxox Desiree

Oh I found it………..you lucky dog!!!! or Durl or Sassy Lady!!!!!!! lololololo…….

I think VIRGINIA should sit in between CAMEO and ARTIST to keep your manners in tact! I’m sitting next to the “G” man! Love you all!! CAMEO…You will look stunning in that bag and sandals! To die for!!

JOHN and TRACY…what a gift you are to all of us! Your openness and transparency is such a delight…in a world filled with duplicity….you guys are THE REAL DEAL!
I so believe, as you do, that ATTITUDE is “key” and the willingness to persevere! You draw us in like magnets, “inspiration fascination” TOTALLY!!!!
I am almost teary eyed as I write this….YOUR STORY… love story, work story, children story, home story just pulls at my heartstrings…..(love the way you held on to each others hands)……You are so deserving and the ULTIMATE success story!
ROBYN, your blog was the last one I read last night…reminding us to just live in the moment…I share your sentiment…so happy to just wake up everyday…I thought about what you wrote many times last night.
For such a time as this…….none of us can thank you enough!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the Easter tags and place cards….they are gorgeous!
Like the Energizer bunny…”you are the gift…that keeps on giving!”

You are such an intelligent beautiful couple both in appearance and in who you are inside. I rarely get to visit your site in real time, but it is a treat today to indulge myself. Thank you for your transparency and genuineness of spirit. The people who come together to blog here are reflective of you, Tracy and John. Birds of a feather do flock together. Stellar stuff! Oh, and your staff are incredible!

Hello all!
I always seem to get to the blog at the end of the day and my posts are always late…
HOWEVER,
Not today…
JOHN and TRACY…
Look how many you have left VERKLEPT!!
Thank you.
It is hard to put into words —
what you have together —
the WISDOM, PASSION and ENERGY.
But it is not enough for you to only share between each other.
You have the GENEROUS DESIRE and NEED (thank goodness!)to share your INSPIRATION with others.
And, as important, the INSIGHT to gather up
like minded people
and allow them to BUBBLE TOGETHER in your CAULDRON of mutual LOVE and SUPPORT —
for ALL aspects of their lives.
Did I say thank you yet????
ALSO…
So here I am, searching the TP network for CHICAGOANS, and there you are right under my nose. (Evanston too!)
BUCKTOWN/WICKER PARK?
Did you ever eat at The Bongo Room — when it was on Damen? YUM.
You were, um, intrepid to live there back then?:) Oh, and edgy too I’m sure!
ROBYN? Good to hear from you.
Can you let me know what your store hours are in the winter/spring? I plan to schedule a road trip soon and immerse myself in all things TP:)
DEBORAH and SANDI —
thank you for your kindness.
JAIME and DESIREE –
I collect heart shaped rocks too:)
I even found one from Lake Michigan that already had a hole in it.
I wear it on a chain.
For everything, my gratitude.
Mary Ann

PAM…If between CAMEO and ARTIST, I’d never get a bite as I’d be swatting them away from one another. Then, since they ARE southern belles; they’d bat those eyelashes at all of us at table…and we’d swoon.
SANDI…LOVE your idea of the TP journal…to keep this very necessary info on hand. AND, to embellish it. I’m all over that. Merci.
~ Gotta get going; someone we all know & love has me moving my living room furniture. It’s a new process: “net-dec” (decorate via internet/email). Off for more Advil. Heave-ho and ta-ta…

Tracy and John,
God bless you!!!!!! Your story should be told over and over. It is so inspiring for both career and life. Thank you so much for sharing it. We love you for just being who you are. I cannot wait for the future of Tracy Porter. Boy would TV be fantastic….HGTV are you listening? TV needs you, we need you. Move over Oprah and Martha, a new girl is in town and she is fantastic!!! This video should be required viewing for all school seniors. Life is what you make it….make it beautiful!!!!!

I shall refrain from all my sass today in honor of you message.
xoxo

Tracy,
Thank you for the most inspiring video yet!!! I struggle daily with my team of Direct Sales Consultants getting discouraged in this economy. I tell them its all in the attitude and you have to believe in yourself. I’m so glad to hear that from someone else so I know I’m not alone in my beliefs.
After watching you and John, I want to come work for your company!!! Seriously, if you have a need for anyone in the NYC area, I’m here. Where do I send my resume for you are the most creative group I have ever come across?
Oh just had to meantion,my mom recently gave me a wooden, black hand-painted platter that had beautiful tulips on it. I admired it for years in her home but never looked at the back. To my surprise it says “Tracy Porter Hand Painted”. I love it even more now knowing how you have gotten to this point in your business. I see bigger and better things in your future!!! Thanks for inspiring all of us.

Tracy, I just finished looking at all of the new lovelies that you are offering to all of us. It’s hard to say what I love the most….the tableware {JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!}, the purses, shoes and the clothes. Me oh my! My shopping bag is getting FULL!!!!

LOVES……Well….you must know..we are blushing about the ripest berry color that a girl could whip up. Thank you…………so much, thank you, thank you …..you dear sweet women.
You are all so creative ,smart, interesting and soulful….and i for one am grateful to have the privilege of hanging out with you everyday!
I am going to have a cocktail and dinner with a dear friend that i have known since the 3rd grade. It always feels so magical to sit and talk with someone you’ve known nearly your whole life…you just start talking and you know all the ” stuff”……
I have no doubt when i do get to meet you all at our gathering it will feel much like that….I feel like i could just pull up a chair and off we would go…to land of chaterville…how I love it there!
xoxoxoxxxxx
T.

INSPIRED GATHERING! Duh…THAT’S the name of the Tracy-Palooza, Tracy-Fest. Same as her wondrous book……WHEN is it happening, DURLS??

Tracy and John,
Thank you so much for your videos. You are truly and inspiration to all of us. I look forward to your videos everyday. The place cards are wonderful. Have them all printed out. But more important you make us realize it’s not about the things in our life it’s about the people.
Keep making those videos.
Diane-MA

TERESA, I looked up your tea towels on etsy. They are sooo cute. Keep it up. I think you will be a total success. I will definitely be a customer. KELLY G. and I think PAMELA, we are all from MN. It’s hard to make all of the connections of who’s who on this blog. So happy for sunshine here. ROBYN is a totally sweet, down to earth person. I went to her stores last year and met her and Tracy’s mom and they are so kind. Robyn, good to hear from you. I want to come visit again sometime soon. CYNTHIA, so relate to your comments about Shabby Chic and Tracy Porter. Also, I check in more than once daily but don’t always comment just like you. ARTIST, forgot to respond last week. I feel like we are old friends from the old days. I do love all of the newbies too. TRACY and JOHN, thank you so much for sharing of yourselves with us. What a blessing and inspiration to do the best with what we have. Just keep making it through…..

TRACY, all I can say is we MUST plan our TRACYFEST soon because once you go GLOBAL you will be sooooo busy with all the TV moguls, Oprah, and Heads of State, that you will not have time to get together with the bloggettes!!! We must plan it now before we have to share you with the world!!!!! And also, I know VIRGINIA says we mustn’t invite ourselves to lovely affairs. However, my sister the artiste does not do planes very well. So I MUST accompany her to dinner so I can use all my therapeutic techniques to help her while travelling!!! Seat me next to Robyn so we can discuss our mutual love of bulldogs!! TaTa!!

TRACY love,…….sounds like your dinner tonight will be total comfort,…….warm, cozy, and easy…. hope you had a grand evening,….. I am having a glass of vino myself,….. I have been hooked on Clos Du Bois for several years…………When they go boxed,….. I will be commited!!!!…. Good night to ALL of the gorgeous women that make this blog so special,….and the Men too!!!!! …nighty night…..
Cameoxoxox

Tracy and John, What a beautiful couple, relationship and family you are. I just found out about you/your stuff 5 weeks ago and I am ADDICTED! I put if in my favorites, I can’t stop buying your jewelry and fashions….and the compliments I get are so fun. I have shared your website daily–at the risk of someone “stealing” from me Like others that have posted, I believe the two of you are meant to be a multimedia success….selfishly, I would like to keep you my little secret! Thanks for your great recipes, decorating tips, and insights!

I just had to chime in again tonight….VIRGINIA…you are right, you absolutely cannot sit in between those two! It just wouldn’t be fair to you! And GRETCHEN…yes, we MUST plan an “Inspired Gathering” before the Porters go multimedia on us! Like ARTIST…I’m not a flyer…I really need to be heavily medicated (in which I mean lots of cocktails)…I so hope that if this does ever come to fruition it will be after June (baby!)…..I will fly anywhere to meet TRACY and all of you gorgeous DURLS! CAMEO…love me some Clos Du Bois as well…although I’m drinking a smoothie in my wine glass tonight I simply cannot wait for Inspiration Fascination tomorrow….until then….TRACY, I hope you had a wonderful evening with your friend! xoxo

TRACY–Have a wonderful evening with your longtime friend. I’m sure she would say that you are everything you seem and more!! Loved Robyn’s comments about you last night too. CAMEO I am drinking a glass of Clos Du Bois right now too!! One of my very favs. I’m a red drinker, but their whites are good too. I, however, am ready to give boxed wine a try, yet oh how happy I would be if CDB went boxed also!

What a nice day of blogging. I sincerely loved reading each and everyone one of your comments about Tracy and John. Look what they do to us all!!! And I am sure, the best is yet to come. Have a wonderful evening everyone.

Tracy & John….your story is so touching and sweet and inspiring that I could cry!! Thank you for sharing and for being so uplifting and positive in all you do!!! I, for one, cannot wait to see what the future holds for you,your business, and your sweet sweet family!!

Tracy and John….Thank you for so unselfishly
sharing your story, though I know there is so much more to come!!! Whatever, you do in the future, I’m sure you will be enormously successful. Like you…my husband and I went into business when we were very young and very broke but, I think those struggles draw you closer and you appreciate success all the more.
Looking back…I wouldn’t change a thing..even the failures…it’s a journey I wouldn’t have missed for anything!!! There is always so much more I want to do.
Every time I turn on the tv….all you hear is gloom and doom so I don’t watch the news channels any more….I come to your web site and enjoy the uplifting inspiration of you and all these incredibly talented, wonderful women.
Thank you Tracy and John…xoxox Carol

This is impressive. A beautiful ( in love) couple, successful, living in a gorgeous house with a fabulous decor, four too cute boys, two big dogs that you want to hug, and other farm animals in the garden…. a gift for making and marketing things, for creating and designing lovely stuffs…This is the first time I encounter people like you Tracy and John. This is unusual. This is not always easy to work with your spouse ( I have been there so I know), but when together you have the same vision and goals this is wonderful. And your video shows is perfectly.
What amazes me is the energy, the passion that Tracy has for everything, the way she decors her house, the way she receives us in her pantry or her bathroom with Sarah, the way she cooks, the way she kisses her kids, the way she pets her dog, the way she designs her amazing “shop”… and Tracy you are so natural, fun, elegant and chic a la fois!
I know you for only few weeks and yes I am addicted too.
NB : The UPS man brough me my Lovely Bordeaux Tessel Necklace today. First of all I saw the green square box, with the ribbon, then the little card hidden in the top, the little pouch and inside some pink paper wrapping my beauuuuutiful necklace. It was perfection…Can’t wait to show it off at our Easter gathering I will wear it with my Anne Fontaine white shirt, very Frenchy!
Thank you Tracy I will cherish it for ever, I feel special when I wear it. It was my first but not last order…A bientot

Tracy and John, Today I received a gift cert from my sister-in-law to TP! I am thrilled to be able to shop for another treat. This video is just the best. The story of your lives together. KELLY at #9 has had the mirror image of my experience. Googling lighting started it and then the addiction! I am wondering if I am involved in a TP cult of unique and beautiful fashion, food, color, family and the joy of life….hmmm. I like it! I, too, selfishly hope that when TP hits HGTV she will still blog with us. Her inspiration is priceless to me. And, John and Sarah are a huge part of it all too. Thanks again. PS: no boxed wine yet, but will look into it. And I made Swedish pancakes for dinner last night. Oh, my, the teens ate so many……..

I always love love love your videos, and recipes (by the way I started my own little “Tracy Porter recipes” box so I would know where they’re all at), and your clothes (pictures truly do not do them justice), and your housewares (love my dishes and my coffee mugs). I just love everything, just like everybody on here. But today’s video was just so real, like I was sitting there with you. I could feel the passion that you have for everything that you talk about and your love for each other really shows as well. Its so refreshing in this day and age to come across people with such positive attitudes – about everything! so thank you. thank you for always being inspirational, caring, peppy, fun, original, sweet and genuine. And just one last comment, how on earth do you ever find time to sleep?:)

Superb interview !!! For all who, like me, watched intently, let’s PASS THIS INTERVIEW ON TO OTHERS WHO MAY BENEFIT. In these times it is imperative that we surround ourselves with positive and inspiring thoughts, words and deeds. This couple is all that. wELL DONE !!!

FAAAAAAAABBBBBBBUUULLLLLOUUUUUUUUSSSSSS!!!! In my best opera voice for you and John LOVE this and my husband (another fabulous John) and I are in the same boat as you all were 18 years ago. And Tracy, just like you, I am the researcher!! The questions that are endless… What do we do next? Who can we talk to? How do you make money at doing something that is good and that you love doing? SO,SO,SO inspiring and a “you can do it” attitude that I needed at this late night hour!! Thank you for sharing!!

Dear John and Tracy, you generous souls,

I’ve been on the road most of the last three weeks so I’m catching up with the blog. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It’s inspiring and such a lesson in preseverance.

By the way, what is an FOB? Just kidding.

All the best,

Kimberly

I’ve followed you Tracy & John since you wrote that blue book, “Dreams from Home”. You inspired me so much that I felt like you were living my dream. I totally believe that success often comes from humble beginnings. How you painted every nook and cranny of your old farmhouse…I loved that! And I’ve done that in my own life.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with others and for the encouraging words. I love your quote “listen to your dreams”. That’s so good and true.

Best wishes and blessings for your continued success! Becky @ Farmgirl Paints

I loved hearing your story. It’s great to see people who embrace life and business in the same way I have been. Onward & Upward!

Tracy you have completely inspired me! I love how encouraging you are! Watching that video, and hearing how ya’ll took it step by step, little by little, gave me hope for my singing! Thank you! It is awesome that there is someone out there willing to help others the way you do! Love you so much!

It’s refreshing to hear the real story behind the success. Your caring about others, enthusiasum for life and the passion to make your dreams come true is evident in your videos and books. I just stumbled onto your blog a few days ago and am glad I did. I bought two of your books years ago and was very inspired after reading them. Now finding this blog is a real treat…Very inpiring!!

Thank you for sharing your story.