Ever wonder what goes into writing one of our posts? No? Well, we’re gonna tell you anyways. Consider it another peek behind the scenes and into our crazy blogging minds a bit further. We probably take our post writing a bit more seriously than most folks (but maybe we should since paying the mortgage depends on it) so we’re certainly not saying this is how it should be done. It’s just how we do it.
In general terms, most of our project-oriented posts go through these stages: from planning & prep through doing & documenting things, all the way to posting & responding to comments.
Those of you who write blogs about your home probably go through a similar process. Of course sometimes the process is fast and can happen within a day or two, and sometimes it’s quite long (as you’ll see in a moment). And on any given day, we’ll be juggling a few different projects/posts that can be at very different stages since we usually share eight of them in a five day span. The chart below is just hypothetical, but the dotted line shows how at any one time we could be writing a post about one project, while doing, planning, or responding to comments on several others.
But we already covered what any given day could look like, so let’s turn back to the purpose of this post: following the path of a post. Let’s use our bathroom mirror project from earlier this month as our example, since it was a bit of a (mis)adventure in its own right.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21st:
8:30 am-ish: Sherry realizes it’d be good to have a last minute one-day project to share in the coming week – specifically on Monday (aka tomorrow) morning. Yikes. I suggest framing out the bathroom mirror since it has been something on our list since January and it sounds pretty simple. Sherry likes it, so I scout the web for some tutorials / advice (including Layla & Kevin’s experience) to help send us down the right track.
10 am-ish: After breakfast, we all hit up Lowe’s to stock up on supplies – i.e. mirror adhesive and trim (Clara “drives” the cart while Burger rides in the back – gotta love that dogs-allowed policy). We like doing things like this together so we can both come to an agreement on materials (like trim in this case, which comes in a ton of sizes and shapes) instead of one person staying home with Clara while the other one nervously makes all the decisions alone.
11:30 am-ish: Now home, Clara goes down for a nap and I dive in by taking “before” pictures of the door and then remove it. Sherry’s in the office writing another post for that week.
1:00 pm-ish: The project is slow going since I take a few more pics of the process than I end up using, but it never hurts to have more to choose from when it comes time to write the post. I finish putting the glue on the door, Sherry helps me place the mirror, Clara’s starting to wake up… and that’s when I realize that the directions on the adhesive say to wait at least 72 hours before sealing the edges. Crap. There’s no way this will be done in time to share Monday morning (or Tuesday or Wednesday for that matter). We kick ourselves for not thinking of that. Time for Plan B.
1:15 pm-ish: Plan B is the pallet compost bin I’ve been wanting to make. Sherry’s lukewarm on the idea (afraid it will also take too long) but it wins because we already have all of the supplies (i.e. pallets & screws) on hand (and shopping for supplies and doing an entirely new project isn’t likely to be accomplished in such a short time period). Sherry feeds Clara lunch and I head outside. The rest of the afternoon is spent making, photographing, and writing about the pallet compost bin (Sherry is beyond relieved that it’s done) as the mirror sets in the sunroom.
MONDAY, AUGUST 22nd:
10 am: Pallet compost bin post goes up, no one is the wiser (until now) that it was a pinch-hitter post. The mirror is still setting…
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th:
9:00 am: My mom is over to do her regular three-hour Wednesday morning babysitting, so I use it as an excuse to return to the mirror project (even though I’m a couple hours shy of the 72 wait time) while Sherry begins refinishing wrestling with her rocker. The directions do suggest waiting a full week before sealing the edges, but having had our plan to share it this week already thwarted, we’re determined to at least have it ready to share next Monday. We have guests scheduled for the weekend (because of my cousin’s bridal shower) so it has to get done before Friday.
10:30 am-ish: Taking pictures along the way slows me down a little (trying to match lighting from the previous set of photos is a bit of a challenge), so it takes me this long to realize the 3/4″ trim that we bought isn’t thick enough (looks cheap and flimsy). I hope Sherry disagrees and can convince me it’s okay, but instead she comes to the same conclusion before I can even finish my sentence. Looks like a $5 college mirror (not that we didn’t both have one of those back in the day). Sigh.
10:45 am: I duck out to Lowe’s again to find thicker trim.
11:30 am: I’m back, thicker trim in hand. Clara’s napping, so my mom has left. Sherry’s busy responding to comments and I fight off deja vu as I measure, cut, and re-take pictures of my new trim process (which is why most of the previous photos were never used).
12:45 pm-ish: Thankfully I finish gluing the trim in place before Clara’s up from her nap, meaning that I’m available to go on baby watching duty (instead of having to pull Sherry off of comment-responding duty since so many are coming in at once). Trim glue sets in place overnight.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25th:
11:30 am: Clara’s down for her morning nap (once again) and Sherry’s doing comments (once again), so I get a head start on cleaning the house before our weekend guests arrive the next day. I figure that it has been nearly the recommended 24 hours set time on the glue, so I’ll “clean up” the sunroom by getting rid of the bathroom door that’s been living in there nearly five whole days. I screw the door back onto its hinges and voila – we’re done!
11:45 am: The excitement of having privacy returned to our bathroom makes me decide to take a shower (Clara naps are extremely valuable for squeezing these in).
11:55 am: Shower done. I’m dressed and on the computer responding to emails while Sherry takes a phone call in the living room. Then I hear “BAM!” followed by “poundpoundpoundpoundpound.” I recognize the latter as Sherry’s urgent footsteps. She informs me the former was the sound of the mirror falling. Sugar.
Noon: Fueled by frustration – both at myself for screwing up, and at the mirror gods for teaching me not to rush a project – I get right to scraping off the half-hardened glue from the mirror, door, and trim pieces. Scraping was a good way to release some anger, I’ll admit.
1 pm: Mirror is re-glued (this time with feeling!) and we come to terms with the fact that we’re just gonna have to let this thing set for a full week… and our sunroom’s gonna have a half-completed bathroom door when our guests arrive (not to mention that there will be a doorless bathroom in our bedroom). Oh well, worse things have happened.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27:
Hurricane Irene hits and our guests decide not to travel. Bummed we won’t see them, but at least our chaos won’t be on display to them… not that we had any electricity by which to see it anyways.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31:
8 pm: Clara has gone to bed and our one-week-long timer is about 12 hours from going off. I hesitantly jump the gun a bit, but knowing that we’ll be out of town over Labor Day weekend I have to get a head start. Plus, the sunroom is getting cramped with Sherry’s office cabinet painting which is going on in there too. So with my glue supposedly set and some “security” nails placed around the edges, I lean the door up against the wall (almost vertical) with a pillow at the base of it as an “overnight test.” I figure if the mirror is gonna fall again, the least it can do is fall before I bother with the trim a second time.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:
8 am: The mirror survived the night standing up, so I take pictures of the nail system now that it’s light out again. I didn’t bother photographing it earlier because I was still unsure if it would work and already had wasted enough time taking photos of things (the small trim cutting process) that wouldn’t see the light of day.
11 am: With Sherry on comment duty and Clara napping (are you sensing a theme about when I get things done?) I lay the door back down and re-glue the trim.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4:
8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Being out of town for Labor Day forces us to let the trim glue set for a few days, but that means we can make progress when it comes to writing the post (since the project is nearly complete). While my siblings and I watch a movie at my parent’s beach house, I sort and size all of the photos taken so far. Then I write the post, leaving spots for the after photos that we have yet to shoot.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:
11 am: Traffic got us home too late on Monday to do anything but unpack and fall asleep, so I use Tuesday morning to rehang the door. Sherry suggests that I take “after” pictures before it falls again (such a comedian, my wife) but (1) the light is bad due to the rain and (2) I want to be sure it survives a night before calling it a true success.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7:
8 am: Victory! The door looks great in the morning, so I break out the tripod (it’s rainy again, so not much light – I’ll just have to do my best) and start snapping after pictures. Sherry plays with Clara until she becomes determined to be in the photo stare at herself in the mirror.
9 am: After photos are taken and uploaded. I quickly size them and upload them into the post. Sherry trades me baby for computer, and gets right to proof-reading since we only have about an hour to go live.
10 am: The post is up. It’s two and half week’s later than planned, but at least it’s up. Sherry camps out moderating comments for a couple of hours while I entertain Clara for another hour-ish before naptime.
11 am: Sherry’s still responding to comments, so for me it’s back to sizing pictures and writing another post, this time it’s for the office desk top post (which was constructed and poly’d the afternoon before and is currently waiting to fully dry before it gets accessorized, photographed, and posted the next morning). The thing about sharing eight posts in five day’s time is that we always have to have a few in progress, a few in the early planning stage, and of course the finished ones have to be written up and those comment questions need answers. So it’s sort of like juggling eight balls… but in a fun no-day-is-ever-the-same way.
THE END
Admittedly that process was a bit more drawn out than a lot of our posts. Some are much quicker (like Sherry’s butterfly art, which only took about twelve hours between beginning to posting) but that wouldn’t have made for a very dramatic story, now would it? Conversely, some projects actually take longer (like our wall to wall desk or our patio or our laundry room – which is why we prefer to tackle them in stages and just share our progress along the way).
Was there anything that surprised you about what goes into a post? What do you do in your job or daily life that’s more involved than some might think?
Amanda says
It’s been amazing to read your posts so far this week. Thanks a bunch for the behind-the-scenes.
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
It’s so funny to read about the process because it honestly seems like things happen as you post them. I can’t get over how many projects you have going on at one time! It’s so interesting!!
Future Mama says
Totally agree! Just reading the process is eye-opening. Y’all have so much going on at any one time! I feel like I would have to have a million sticky notes everywhere to keep track of everything, ha!
Much love,
Future Mama
http://expectingablessing.blogspot.com/
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
I really like how you give projects installments! It lets you give more detail on the how-tos of each step which is really helpful!
It’s been a great week of posts! Bravo!
NATASHA says
I really like this post. I have a blog about my kids, being a mom, and post partum depression. I just recently started to plan what I say, and though it is no where as professional as yours it is a great outlet for my feelings of anxiety, depression, and love for my three, soon to be four, babies!
Belle says
Fascinating!
So much hard work goes into your amazing blog – I’m glad for the breakdowns, helps both to understand how hectic your life is and to get a better understanding of how to better manage my own blog (which in turn motivates me to do more blog-worthy stuff).
Carol N. says
Thanks for the insight…you guys truly never stop! In my daily work life I am a developer for a web application to support customer service at my company. People do not realize how complicated it can be to go from an idea to a finished page so I appreciate your posts this week.
Jen says
I never think of how much actually goes into your posts! On my little family blog sometimes I get lazy about uploading and sorting pics. And that’s why I’m not supporting my family on it :-)
Johanna says
You guys are truly amazing. I have been thinking about starting a blog and this week’s posts have been truly insightful. Thanks!
xoxo
Sophia- Life as a Canvas.com says
I have to echo the previous comments also…Thank you both so much for how candid you are about life and your process. It helps to see the chaos and the order and that it is all normal! It definitely helps a newbie in the blog world like me! So inspiring. Thanks!
Darcy says
I know many people said it after your Day in the Life post earlier this week, but I just can’t get over how busy you two are!!! I always dreamed of working from home, having a blog — but not after this weeks behind the scenes look!! LOL! I’m happy that you all love it as much as you do — I don’t think its for me! Mostly because I’m not that organized and not that good at juggling! LOL!
Thanks so much for such a great week of posts — I love hearing all the nitty gritty details (did I just age myself?!?!) You are the BEST!
Sandra T says
Same here! I have a new found respect for ALL the work that goes into this, and you guys really do make it look easier than it is. Thanks!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Hi there! I’m a long time reader/lurker, but never really comment. I just have to say how much I’ve enjoyed reading all the behind the scenes posts this week. Thank You :)
Elizabeth says
You make it look so easy to complete projects with a 1 year old that it is really nice to hear that I’m not the only one who accomplishes things during baby naps (Ellie is less than a month older then Clara). It took almost two weeks of naps to repaint the ugliest bathroom! Envision a 1968 faux wood vanity with a strange mirror/sconce combo and to top it off bright yellow walls that were poorly sponged with hot pink, grey and baby blue. It felt like the walls were attacking you every time you walked into the room (for the 11 months it took me to repaint.) You (and pinterest) have inspired and motivated me to tackle that nightmare.
I love reading your blog, keep it up (but take a vacation and relax too!)
Constance says
Fun to see what goes into the process! Thanks for sharing. This is probably more a comment to a few posts ago (and totally take this with a grain of salt / I don’t know what I’m talking about), but have you considered lessoning the time spent on comments for each post to help with the whole balance pursuit? I can’t think of any other blog that comes remotely close to what you do with comments (moderating + replying). When I comment on a post I don’t expect a response, although am pleasantly surprised when there is one. I would bet that other readers feel the same. No reply, no problem. Just an idea that you DO NOT have to respond to, think about or use in any way unless helpful :)
YoungHouseLove says
We really believe one of the things that has gotten us where we are today is interacting and responding to you guys – and it’s honestly one of the things that we really like to do! You guys are our inspiration, so we love keeping this a conversation and not turning it into a place where we talk “at” people without listening – ya know? So we think it’s easier to try to keep some of the wordiness at bay and post more spontaneous this-is-what’s-going-on stuff instead of writing so many super long wait-until-everything’s-finished posts when it comes to trying to find balance. Here’s hoping it works!
xo,
s
Nancy says
As a regular reader I really like that you respond to comments. Responding makes it feel like we are having a conversation and know each other. I would agree that this personal interaction has contributed to the success of the blog.
Anita says
I totally agree with Nancy. One of my favorite things to do when reading your blog is to read your response to readers’ comments – I do this about 90% of the time. Your dedication to responding to comments is not only incredible but it’s also made me into a loyal daily reader!
Constance says
Totally understandable – thanks for spending the time!
Alex says
I fourth that comment :). I read another blog, and there are never any responses, and to be honest, I don’t feel nearly as attached to it!
Ali M. says
I would agree that it has helped with the success of the blog and I love that it seems more personal/conversational.
I do sometimes (especially after reading the posts this week) wonder how you are not exhausted all the time, but as long as you guys have the time and love it, I would say keep it up! But…if you ever feel tired, I think most of us would understand if you lightened the load a bit.
threadbndr says
This is one of the few blogs that I read EVERY comment on (except on the giveaways – I can’t keep up on those!)
It’s because of the dialogue between you and your readers and between the readers themselves.
Keep up the good work!
Harinee says
I’m one of your many addicts and the biggest reason for that would be that your readers feel so connected to you through the comments section. And some great ideas come out of the comments conversations!
You two have a rare dignity about you despite all the fame and it’s admirable that you respond to so many comments.
That being said I also want to tell you to take some time off the computer and we all understand if you can’t reply to every question! It’s a catch-22 – I want you to take more time off and yet can’t get enough of the blog!
Kathy says
AGREED! It’s the personal interactions– not just when we get a personal response to our comments, but just reading the interactions you have with fellow readers– that make YHL a success. Most blogs don’t have the excellent writing and conversational “voice” that you offer. In additon to what we learn from the DIY info, YHL is just plain fun to read!! (Can’t wait for your book, btw.)
Nikki says
Wow, I knew your blog was hard work, but it is even harder than I thought. It seems at some point you will have to stop answering every little question? I would still love your blog though. Love the installments and step-by-step pictures.
katie says
Thanks for the behind-the-scenes peak at your daily life. I recently launched a new design-related blog and I’m working hard to post regularly and keep it interesting for readers, while at the same time caring for my 1 year old while Daddy is at work. I’m finding it takes a lot more planning to know what/when I will post than my old blog did (it was more of an online diary). I’m enjoying my new blog and also quickly realizing that this could definitely become more of a job than I initially thought! Still, it’s SO MUCH FUN! And sure beats my old day job designing storm sewers…
Penny says
I am so impressed with your persistence. I would have been crying over the mirror and then probably yelling a bunch of words.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh there might have been a few words yelled… :)
-John
Mary@The Good Life says
Hahaha like… sugar?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, exactly. And fiddlesticks.
-John
Emily says
“John Petersik, did you just throw something? John Petersik, did you just throw something in anger???”
I seriously died laughing when Sherry said that on camera! :-p
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s totally something that gets said around here. Gotta keep it real!
xo,
s
Hannah says
I think the “throwing something in anger” was my favorite line in the whole movie :D
Sarah @ w30 says
Hahaha I had the same thought! Hmmmm … was the word you used *really* sugar? ;)
Patti says
I know how much goes into working a website from home (my hubs does it) so kudos to you both. You’re both so tenacious, a very admirable trait if you ask me.
Tressa Meacham says
Wow! That’s a lot of work but I am so glad we get to benefit by reading your awesome blog! Keep it up! :)
Jennifer S says
Wow! No wonder you have such an awesome blog. Something to really think about.
Wishing you continued success!!!
abby says
Thanks for a look into the behind-the-scenes of a post. I always wonder how you have new projects going up so often! All your hard work allows us to get great inspiration (and also constantly send posts to our husbands so they can get inspiration/step-by-step directions) to work on our own houses!
Meg@Keeping up with the Jenks says
I can see where posting as it happens can make your life easier! Tell us that the bathroom mirror gave you the fits before it’s perfect. It will be interesting for us (and maybe someone out there will have advice).
Echoing everyone else, thanks for letting us into the behind-the-scenes of your little world. I have that much MORE appreciation for what you do, your tenacity and the details of it all.
I’ve been attempting to blog 5 days a week, and man, it is hard.
Bravo, you two!
P.S. I totally dropped your name today, Sherry. ha!
http://thejenksfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/one-nap-aka-please-dont-do-it.html
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it. Fun post!!
xo,
s
Dana says
Fun read!
I know this post isn’t about code, but I wanted to ask since this post was pretty link heavy. Have you thought about having your links open in a new window instead of opening in the current one?
YoungHouseLove says
Don’t they open in a new window? We try to program all of them to do that, so it must just be a mistake. Haha. I’ll go back in and make sure we have them set that way. Sorry for the trouble!
xo,
s
RC says
It’s actually better netiquette to have them open in the same window so the back functionality works and can be used for browsing. If someone wants to force open a link in a new window or tab, all they have to do is CMD-click the link (I think it’s Ctrl-click on a PC).
YoungHouseLove says
Never knew that! We usually get requests like these quite often (to have them open in new windows) so we just follow those suggestions! Haha. I’ve actually never heard the word netiquette before but it’s hilarious!
xo,
s
Martha says
I much prefer having things open in a new window. This way, if there are multiple links on the original page, it’s easy to go back to the page and click on them. In fact, I like that you always have your links open in new windows. On other sites (I’m looking at you Apartment Therapy) I always have to right-click on the link to open it in a new tab to avoid losing my page. Just my $0.02.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the feedback everyone!
xo,
s
Susie says
I love that they open in a new window! Sometimes there are quite a few old posts referred to, and I like to click them as I’m reading the new post and go back and read the old ones later. Then I just close out each window as I finish reading them.
Robin @ our semi organic life says
I’d like to add my vote of my personal preference is opening in a new window/tab since that helps me stay more organized. Otherwise I’ll get off track and forget to finish reading where I started from. Either way Love you guys! YHL fan tees anyone?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- how about “Take That Baby To The Market” bumper stickers?
xo,
s
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
“Virginia is for YHLers.” We gotta do it!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. I love it.
xo,
s
Mary@The Good Life says
I definitely need “Take that baby to the market” written SOMEwhere on SOMEthing. On a PC “open in a new tab” is just a right click. Haha we have TWO buttons on the mouse here in PC land. I don’t know, its a preference thing with the new window/same window shenanigans. I prefer same window because I know I can choose to open a new window if I want to, but some people don’t do that. Oh well, if there are tabs/windows galore I just remember to clean house every couple minutes, aka close a window when I’m done reading. HOW, HOW can I talk for this long about something like this?? I just look up and suddenly it’s 1500 words…
Micha says
Your blogiversary posts are a real eye opener! Wow!
Pip says
Full on! I’m even more impressed now, juggling all those projects at once – and dealing so sweetly with a bazillion comments even though you’re well and truly onto the next thing. Thanks for another insight into your mileaminute minds!
Melanie @ Mailbox Journey says
I really love this post! It’s great to see how you guys do things. Oh, what I would give to be able to do things during the day, instead of being stuck in my 9-5 office. :P It’s been a really great week of posts from you guys! Thanks so much for all of the insight, it really helps us fellow bloggers. I can’t wait to see what happens with you guys in the next year of blog posts!
Lenore says
Just wanted to let ya’ll know (and your blogiversary seems like a good time) that although I’m a new(ish) reader, I’m totally hooked. You have helped me gain the courage to try some DIY projects I’d been reluctant to do. We recently replaced the carpeting in our rental kitchen (yuck) with vinyl and it turned out great! I have a whole host of other projects in the works, inspired by you guys! Thanks for sharing your home with us.
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
I’m not surprised that you have several projects going on at the same time. That’s exactly what we do. We have project ADD and we’ll switch gears or I’ll get an itch to create something and start on a project.
I think the more spontaneous blogging is a great way to go. Not only does it keep you the most up to date, but it’s fun to see things progress, rather than waiting to see everything until the end.
Happy blogiversary!!
Diane says
I never realized how much time and effort goes into your posts – I mean we all know it takes time to do it – but I think you guys have mastered the art of multi-tasking! There should be some kind of award for this, lol! I’m lucky I can handle two things at once.
Have a great weekend – and is anyone else on the east coast sick of RAIN RAIN RAIN? Please make it stop!
Maggie says
It might be “better netiquette” to have a new page open in the same window but I think it is MUCH better if it opens in a new window.
Often there is a link on the 2nd page that I want to click on and then another link on that page…. and the next thing you know you are lost and can’t get back to the original page.
If the new page opens in a new window you can wander as much as you like but you still can get back to the original page.
Kate says
I’m really loving all of the posts this week. It’s so interesting to read how you guys handle doing so much all the time!
Liz says
That mirror would probably have not survived my wrath, which likely would have led to cutting myself on a glass shard, which of course would have made me even angrier. Good job keeping your cool.
By the way the Layla & Kevin link isn’t working. Don’t know if that’s on your end or theirs.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the heads up! We just clicked over and it worked for us, so maybe it’s back up again?
xo,
s
Liz says
Yay! It works again.
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo,
s
vvednesday says
It’s amazing that you can essentially only really get things done when Clara’s napping! When I read your posts I totally imagine that you two do each project together, all day long, smiling and taking photos. I didn’t realize that so much of what you do is dependent on the other person doing something else at the same time! Fantastic teamwork, guys!
heather @ like a cup of tea says
“She informs me the former was the sound of the mirror falling. Sugar.”
Best line, because we all *know* that is totally not what you said/thought. As I was reading about the process I had to laugh because my inner super proper elegant woman was saying “mother f….” and “son of a bee sting” (name that movie). It wasn’t even my project, yet I was thinking the same things that I often say when a project goes haywire like that for me.
It really can take that long. I’m with you on the blogging in (relatively) real time. If I did it any other way on my blog just wouldn’t work.
Brittany says
I’ve tried blogging about my craft tutorials and such but no dice, I am just not good at it. But I think most of it is my time management. These post help really put it all into perspective. We are hoping to move into our 235ish year old farm house and I would love to blog about it all like you guys have! Thanks for the inspiration!
Liz says
I’m sure y’all get this comment a lot, but you guys seem like you’d just be fun to hang out with. Enjoying this week’s posts and graphs. Congrats on four great years.
erin says
i was just browsing on anthropologie, and saw these! They had Sherry written all over them. Christmas present maybe?
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22522486&catId=HOME-NEW&pushId=HOME-NEW&popId=HOME&navCount=6&color=010&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&isSubcategory=true&subCategoryId=HOME-NEW-KITCHEN
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I’ve seen those in person and swooned. Even the packaging is amazing. Love them!
xo,
s
Barbara says
I just want to thank you for your great blog. I wait, impatiently, each day for your posts.
I think your conversational style is important in ‘hooking’ readers. I also appreciate that your projects are doable for those of us who can’t afford mini mansions. You show us that it is possible to live well on modest means. Your self discipline not only in maintaining a smooth flow of posts but in making sure that you have covered all the bases for your’s and Clara’s future is to be admired.
I love organizing posts and would love to hear what books Clara is recommending. I have a granddaughter who is one month younger than Clara. Clara posts really help with gift buying ideas.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh, she has so many favorite books right now. She loves anything with Maisy the Mouse (by Lucy Cousins) and also adores this odd little book we found at the library called “Where’s The Cat?” – hmm, what else? She loves Moo, Baa, La La La by Sandra Boynton. Really, anything by her is a favorite.
xo,
s
Lauren says
I used to dream of doing what you do, making a living blogging from home. Until this week. Now I’m just thankful for my 40 hour a week desk job. Because seriously, you work SO HARD. I mean, projects on a Sunday? I’m happy if I manage to change into real pants on a Sunday.
Brittany says
Thanks for this post. It’s so easy to believe that my husband and I are the only one’s who have small projects that take months to finish or have so many hiccups, especially when reading blogs or watching TV. It’s refreshing to see we aren’t the only ones.
I also just started a blog about organizing, so seeing the anatomy of your posts is quite helpful.
Beth says
Like others– long time reader (3years?), rare commenter. I think I found your blog when I was googling something for a house project– then when we got engaged I read all about your backyard wedding. I love your personalities on this blog– so down to earth and dorky/fun. And I think it’s especially neat for me as a ‘newlywed’ to “see” your partnership in action, and to see a generally positive one at that. Sometimes it feels like everyone expects us to be miserable now that we’re married, so it’s fun to see you two a few years ahead of us with baby in tow, still appearing to like each other :)
Any who, I originally was going to just say how fascinating this week’s posts have been, including your descriptions of your daily activities with Clara. Love it! Also, I totally prefer the colorful twist of this house– I was never a beach house person, you know? Plus I think it’s more challenging, since the default isn’t white, and you have to juggle colors. Can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve!!
Hanna says
That was a great play-by-play! I especially liked it because it started to feel like one of my home improvement projects (AKA there is always that “what was I thinking?” or “why didn’t I read the directions???” moment in there somewhere).
What surprised me a little was realizing that sometimes the requirements for the week’s posts actually dictate the projects that get done. You guys are so good at making the blogging part seem effortless it is easy to forget how much planning, timing, and strategy needs to go into it in order to give us a consistent reading experience every week.
Hanna says
On a side-note, thank you for introducing me to gravitar earlier in the week. Now I have my beloved “first taste of sand” pic to follow me around everywhere. /grin
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- aren’t they fun? So glad.
xo,
s
Jessica says
So much work goes into your blogs – thanks for sharing. Also – your pinata idea from Clara party is on Tori Spelling blog today:)
YoungHouseLove says
Really????? Holy cow. Off to check it out!
xo,
s
sarah says
she ‘loves your blog’. of course! don’t we all?
just look at all the celebrity circles you guys are making your way into :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, Tori has been amazingly nice to us. It’s kind of mind-blowing actually.
xo,
s
Shannon says
She copied your whole post though which is a super violation of netiquette. Maybe giving an intro and including one pic but using the entire post? Feeling very protective of my YHL friends! (See? We all really do imagine you’re our friends.)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no worries Shannon! She’s so sweet about mentioning us (she gave us another shout out a while back) that we don’t mind at all! Total starstruck 90210 fan over here. Haha.
xo,
s
Meg says
Congratulations on 4 great years! Love all the inspiration on your site – cannot wait to get out of this tiny apt. and decorate a *real house haha. Thanks for being awesome guys – we love to read your posts & *dream. :) P.S. stumbled on this on pinterest (best site ever) – paint chip art anyone? we saw the first idea and immediately thought of you guys – enjoy! http://www.diylife.com/2011/09/16/3-ways-to-upcycle-paint-samples-into-impressive-accents/
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- love it! Especially the mosaic table idea since I’ve never seen anything like that! Amazing.
xo,
s
Hanna says
You just game me a brainstorm. My friend is decorating her nursery in a winnie the pooh theme. We picked out some disney colors from Home Depot to repaint a dresser… but maybe I will steal a few more chips and make decorations for her shower! Thank you!!!!!
Debby says
I’m loving the Blogiversary posts! One question though, would you/did you post the results of the poll on this blog? I love polls, but every time FB asks for permission to access my information, I click cancel. ( Scary internets phobia, I guess.) I would really like to see the results :)
YoungHouseLove says
Great suggestion Debby! We just went back and added them to the bottom of the original poll post from Wednesday. So much fun. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
tara says
I think I’ve commented more this week than I have in the last two years! I’ve loved reading all the behind the scenes things this week. You guys have so much on your plate with Clara and the blog and you are AWESOME at both:) I think I speak for everyone when I say we totally appreciate all your hard work!! After reading about everything that goes into YHL, I hope you guys do find that balance between work and family/relaxation time…I actually feel bad commenting because of the billions of hours you have to spend approving them:) But at least you know you are loved!!
Scott says
Dude – thanks for this. Super insightful. It’s like a not-so-perfect house tour video in post form. Plus: props on the so fresh, so clean infographics.
Lauren says
All this time I thought to myself “how can they possibly get all this done with a baby!? I’m lucky if I can get 4 pieces of fabric for a quilt sewn together before my Little One wakes up…they build whole desks and refinish cabinets!”
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, but now that I know you guys don’t blog in “real time”, I feel much better about my 4 sad little pieces of quilt fabric (still sitting on the sewing table after 2 weeks by the way).
I am so impressed with your work ethic!
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah, whenever we finish something we love to post about it as quickly as possible (usually within a day or two, just because we can’t wait and don’t like to get too ahead of ourselves). So in that aspect we try to keep it as real-time as possible (we’re not done with a room but sitting on it for a month or anything- haha). But we definitely have random projects in progress all the time behind the scenes (since it would be a pretty boring post to say “just went shopping for mirror supplies and removed fabric from the rocker we’re reupholstering”). So if it’s a small project like the mirror we try to wait until it’s done and share all the crazy misadventures that happened as soon as we’re finally done (that way we know we’re giving advice that works since we’ve seen it through). Although the rocker took me so long (and caused so much sweat) that it actually earned two posts since it turned out to be such a hefty project! Haha.
xo,
s
cecilly martinez says
I think I’m going to get my husband to trim our $5 college mirror, we’re only 1.5 years out of college not bad timing. BTW I was wondering if you guys knew how to paint over veneer. I bought a bookshelf at Ikea and would like it to be a grayish color, like the beams in your living room. I want the woodgrain to show through. Now I know particle board and veneer is not ideal, but do you have any suggestions? Google has failed me.
CM
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, check out this post where we paint the top of a veneer dresser.
https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/03/nursery-progress-refinishing-a-veneer-dresser/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lori says
Love how when I started reading this there was 1 comment…by the time I finished, 64. I bet it’s over 100 before I finish typing this…insanity! I now know why Sherry spends hours “monitoring” comments…whew!
KC says
You guys totally have the skillz that pay the billz!