For those asking where the April Superlatives went, here they are! Remember how last week was all about organizing? Well, we weren’t organized enough to share this post on time. Oops. So before May gets too far gone, here’s a look back at all the things we got checked off the ol’ to-do list in April (in yearbook style superlatives, of course). We even tossed in some never-before-seen stuff for kicks. You can check out all of our monthly superlatives dating back to January of 2011 right here (it’s over a years worth of projects crammed into just 15 posts). Oh, and we’re starting this round up with my latest obsession. You have been warned.
Most Addicted: Me, when it comes to Instagram. It took us a while to jump on the bandwagon, but now this iPhone app is basically to me what Pinterest is to Sherry. You can follow us (username YoungHouseLove, shocker) for random life/behind the scenes pics – pretty much just things we think are pretty, random shopping pics, and plenty of cute photos of the kids. We’ll also be posting most of our shots to Twitter and Facebook so you can catch them there if you’re not an Instgrammer yourself. Just another way to over-share…
Favorite New Hashtag: When our bathroom window frosting project inspired @kandisebrown to frost hers, this hashtag was born: #nomoreeyecontactwithstrangerswhilepeeing
Most Improved: The toilet situation in our master bath which (thanks to a little loo-switcheroo) has gone from squat space-aged almond toilet to normal-height classic white toilet. Thank goodness. We were so happy to Craigslist the old one and purchase a new one for a family in need. Update: we got a letter from Habitat For Humanity saying that lots of you guys very generously donated to that family as well, so they’re one step closer to their new home! Thanks for rocking.
Phat-est: Eminem, at least according to a 17-year-old Sherry when she met him as part of MTV’s Fanatic. After long ignoring its existence, she finally owned up to the clip that’s been floating around YouTube lately. But she still puts her hands over her face if I mention it.
Biggest Succa: These succulents (well, technically the one on the left is the biggest) which Sherry simply planted in some glass containers. They’re still doing well and have all grown a bunch. We’ll have to share some update pics soon.
Most Transitional: The, well, um transitions that we installed in our kitchen to smooth over the slight drop between the new and old floors.
Most Inspiring: Our visit to Richmond Homearama, where we toured eight houses that were full of fun ideas. We still haven’t picked a favorite.
Most Avant-Garde: Clara, whose squiggles – which we turned into fabric – supposedly contained lots of worms (which made her very proud).
Most Helpful: The LivingSocial deal we scored for some professional landscaping advice. We got some great tips, but even better it was the kick in the pants we needed to stop hemming and hawing and just do something outside.
Best Worn Out Face: Mine, from digging up some not-doing-so-hot bushes around the front of our house so that we could put some fresh plants in and transplant the survivors.
Least Likely To Share Her Worn Out Face On The Blog: Sherry, who tried to play it cool while digging up all of this brick in our front planter bed so it could actually become a planter bed.
Narrowest: The walkway to our front door.
Well, at least before we cleared out the bushes that attacked you from both sides.
And hopefully soon we’ll have an update for you about trying to grow grass there.
Most Problematic: Our patio, which had gotten kinda overgrown and leaf-strewn over the winter. But a big clean-up and a bit of fresh planting finally got things under control again.
Most Likely To Be A Rockstar: Clara, at least in terms of how much she uses the rock box we built her. Rainy days = the end of the world for Clara: The Girl Obsessed With Rocks (say that with conviction, as if you’re saying Katniss: The Girl Who Was On Fire).
Most Fleeting: The rock box in its pre-rock days as a sandbox, which was the original idea behind the structure.
Most Delayed: The building of the aforementioned sand/rock box, which had been on my to-do list for nearly a year. Better late than never right?
Spring-iest: Our mantle, which Sherry remixed a bit to bring in some seasonal colors (while taking a moment to look back on our its past).
Least Straightforward: Simply swapping out our bathroom fixture, which turned into a “hey, let’s patch this giant hole of drywall hiding behind the boob light” project.
Class Artist: Sherry, for the painting she did a while back, which we decided to hang in our bathroom to bring in more color.
Closest Shave: Our bathroom door, which got a little piece cut off the bottom so that it could open all the way (over our grate) and accommodate a much-needed bath mat.
Weirdest: Sherry, for bucking logic and deciding we had nothing to lose before getting down with her bad self and some ORB. Side note: about three dates in, Sherry warned me that she was unanimously voted “weirdest family member” by her dad, brother, half brother and step mom at some point in her teenage life. Glad she’s still proudly holding that title.
Most Likely To Get Replaced: Our HP printer, after this post updating you on how some of our purchases are holding up. We got lots of recommendations for better options, so he may be getting the boot if we can’t get to the bottom of his issues soon.
Most Likely To Induce A Whale Obsession: Our visit to the Richmond Craft Mafia’s Spring Bada-Bing show where more than one piece of whale art caught our eye (along with alligator, ostrich, bird, bacon, cactus, and zombie creations).
Longest: Our updated to-do list. Admittedly not as long as it used to be, but still long enough to keep us plenty busy…
Most Unintentionally Naughty-Sounding Post Title: This one (“You Down with O-R-G“) which raised some eyebrows when some folks misread it as having a Y at the end (which would be a totally different way to kick off a week of posts about what we’re up to). Sherry swears she just liked that it rhymed with OPP (ok, and sounded sort of like her other love, ORB).
What did you guys get done in April? Did anyone else turn do any spring organizing or reveal some “vintage” footage of their 17-year-self on video? Have you ever made a list of accomplishments to look back on? Feel free to use the comment section of this post to list what you’ve done (or just toss out a few highlights). It’s always fun to take a break from adding things to the to-do list for a second, just to look back and appreciate the things you’ve checked off. We totally think it helps us keep up our momentum – especially when it comes to tackling things like the deck and Clara’s big second birthday party this weekend!
Allyn says
BAHAHAHA.
Orgy. You’ve got some dirty minded readers.
Love the Girl Obsessed with Rocks (maybe because I’m a Hunger Games nerd?)
And that wooden wall you guys found is still one of my favorites! Would seriously love to do that in a room someday.
Marta says
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA @ the Eminem video. omg I had to stop the video because I was laughing so hard & people at work were starting to give me funny looks. Thank you for posting that.
@kandisebrown says
OMG ha! The bathroom window frosting is definitely the best thing I did at home all month! :D
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
Your superlative posts always make me realize how fast the month went by. I can’t believe it’s May already!
YoungHouseLove says
I know, right?!
xo,
s
Brian says
Definitely following you on Instagram soon.
I read Clara’s rock box love more like The Girl with the Rock Box Obsession, a la The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Maybe Hunger Games is a little more Clara friendly, if only slightly.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- so funny! You’re right it’s more Dragon Tattoo-ish.
xo,
s
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats says
Phat-est was TOTALLY my favorite. Seriously, I think that might be my favorite YHL post of all time. Well done $herdog :)
Kelly says
April had me working hard in my bedroom. I finished my “DIY C&B Colette bed inspired” upholstered headboard (after 6 months of staring at the raw materials on the floor) and I installed my faux fireplace and hung artwork. Now I can sleep in peace!
I love your blue fixture in the bathroom. The way you guys patch large holes amazes me. It never looks as good when I do it.
YoungHouseLove says
That headboard sounds awesome! And a faux fireplace sounds amazing.
xo,
s
Emiles says
Clara: The Girl Obsessed With Rocks (say that with conviction, as if you’re saying Katniss: The Girl Who Was On Fire — I totally went to The Girl Who Played with Fire! So more Lisbeth Salander than Katniss Everdeen…which is even less appropriate.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, hilarious!
xo,
s
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says
I held out on instagram for the longest also but took the plunge last month as well. It is so much fun! Glad y’all finally jumped on the bandwagon too.
Farrah says
Hubby and I have been bitten by the ORB bug ourselves and we have a question after reading all your ORB-related posts. When you say it out loud or in your head, do you spell out O-R-B or pronounced it like the word “orb”? I do one and my husband does the other. Inquiring minds want to know…:)
YoungHouseLove says
Hah, it’s o-r-b, like each letter alone.
xo,
s
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
I always say it “orb” like a word. Interesting!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that sounds very sci-fi!
xo,
s
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
good question lol – i say “orb” like a word too – it does sound a bit sci-fi-ish come to think of it.
Casey says
Good lord! It’s amazing how much you guys get accomplished in one month. I ready your blog daily, but still every time you post your monthly superlatives post I’m blown away! All I managed to get done around the house this month was a good solid deep-cleaning before my parents came to visit.
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
I don’t think I said it before, but we have the same printer and we have the SAME problems with it. Like, why won’t you print!? That’s your only job!?
In April, we kicked off turning the seriously scary third upstairs bedroom in our home (formerly used as a nursery by the previous owners) into my art studio. And in a crazy turn of events, we have decided to let our readers vote on every decision. Of course, I narrow down the options first–so it is guided. But so far, they have chosen to paint the walls white, the ceiling a pretty turquoise, and they just chose the area rug. Today, I’m putting up the lighting options up to vote on. It has been so fun!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- you’ve been so busy!
xo,
s
Katie says
You know, I bought an HP all-in-one printer back in November when we opened our new home-based automotive repair shop. We had SO MUCH trouble trying to get it to work…I re-installed the drivers, etc. over and over and never could get all the functions of the HP to work simultaneously. Finally after about 2 months of struggling with it, I returned it to Wal-Mart, got my $ back and promptly bought an EPSON Workforce 545. I’ve been SO HAPPY with it. Never looked back. You should make the switch. There’s too much to do when running your own business to be fiddling with an inadequate printer!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Katie! We keep hearing Epson is awesome!
xo,
s
Lisa@ wanderdownpennylane says
I decided last week to look back on everything we have tackled in the last four months!I have a hard time remembering to stop and reflect on all the hard work we have done so far.
Check out those posts here:
Trips, Wedding tips and more
http://wanderdownpennylane.blogspot.com/2012/05/highlight-reel-weddings-trips-and.html
Food
http://wanderdownpennylane.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-is-it-may-food-highlight-reel.html
Home Projects
http://wanderdownpennylane.blogspot.com/2012/05/highlight-reelindoor-projects.html
Outdoors and Crafts
http://wanderdownpennylane.blogspot.com/2012/05/highlight-reeloutdoors-and-arts-and.html
YoungHouseLove says
Fun! Love those breakdowns!
xo,
s
Chris says
Love these posts…you guys really do get a ton accomplished in one month! Bathroom window frosting is totally on my to-do list. But first we need a window upgrade…there is no way in h&*l I’m going to cut out 12 little rectangles :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I bet you could do it!
xo,
s
Emily says
We finished our mudroom/entryway remodel! Yay! :)
Emily says
http://projectpearson.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/project-mud-room/
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! Love the color!
xo,
s
Kelly says
These have to be my fav posts! Hey John, which Instagram edit do you like best? Do you use lots of them or just have a couple “go to” ones? I cannot decide which is my favorite…
You guys are so awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
I love the one called Sierra best I think. Lots of good ones though!
-John
Lisa says
The rockbox idea is my new obsession. I am definitely thinking of doing that for my 18 month old son. My brother and his wife are thinking of doing the same thing for their 2 year old daughter too!
At my son’s “Busy Beginners” class at our local Y, they had an oatmeal box! A small raised box (so the kids could stand at it) filled with dry oats. What a great idea! The toddlers had a great time using their shovels and buckets in it! Probably would not be so successful if it were filled with cooked oatmeal, though.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cute!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
We’ve inherited a house with a paver patio in back and weeds between the pavers are definitely a problem. Do you think the polymeric sand by itself would be enough to repel the weeds or should we tear the whole thing up and put down weedblock too?
YoungHouseLove says
I would definitely try killing the weeds/digging them all out and then using polymeric sand before digging everything up! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Thanks! I guess the worst that will happen is we’ll have to tear the whole thing up later, anyway. :)
kara @ launching our life together says
omg, the whales made me think of jim gaffigan, the comedian. he makes fun of whales…”it’s mostly water weight”
here’s a sneak peek at the ‘whales’ joke…
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah- so funny.
xo,
s
Merideth says
I tried so hard to get our deck stained in April…but failed after every weekend was filled with rain (or rain abutted the weekend on Friday or Monday). I vow for May!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, crossing my fingers for ya!
xo,
s
Savanna says
April was busy for us too! I got into Instagram too, John! I’m obsessed with it. April was my first month of blogging (with no focus yet (eek!)), went on a 10 day vacation, came back from vacation with birds and a nest in our dryer tubing and had to replace the vent and the tubing (which was difficult for us new homeowners and virgin DIYers)… tons on the to-do list for this month. You guys sure are inspiring!!! PS. Love Clara’s custom fabric. SO cool!!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Savanna! Happy blogging!
xo,
s
Mizden says
I have to confess, I’m addicted to Instagram as well…like Facebook and Twitter weren’t enough!…but it’s better, instant filters? Yes please!
Loved the peakaboo from Clara! And I hope the hydrangeas bloom just in time for the beansie as well! :)
Lisa Riley says
Totally cracked up when I read the “Most Unintentionally Naughty-Sounding Post Title” because when I read that original post, I imagined a Y at the end of it too.
heathyr says
John, what’s the deal with Sherry? Instagram is WAY better than Pinterest- and I’m a chic!
;) You gotta straighten out her priorities.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I’m working on it!
-John
Nikki Kelly says
Your master bath revamp over the last few weeks, coupled with your ‘Dude, get on that already’ mini challenges has inspired me to get our main floor bathroom functioning. Before yesterday it was really just the cats bathroom. I have their litter box in the shower so that when things get messy I can just rinse it all away. But ever since 4:45 yesterday it can boast a functioning dual flush toilet and clean floors! Oh, and it is no long an eye straining shade of orange either thanks to some left over paint in the basement. That little turd of a bathroom is now not so turdy, and not having to go up a flight of stairs to pee is pretty awesome too!
Nikki @ the ambitious procrastinator
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Congrats Nikki!
xo,
s
Jeremy says
$herdog,
I am sorry that I continue to watch the youtube video of you interview on Fanatic. I promise that one day I will stop watching it and laughing. Until that day comes, all my videos are locked in the vault never to be seen, ever, no really, I mean it…..NEVER TO BE SEEN. Maybe I should go burn them now…..
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh it never occurred to me that people have watched it multiple times. I’m dying.
xo,
s
Becky says
Oh April! How I wish I had more time!
I created a “landing zone” with a couple of basket bins from Target (yay!) and fashioned little tags with both of my kids’ initials on them. They’re actually using them!
It took some brain power but I rearranged things so that the mammoth dog kennel has a home. It’s not that pretty but at least it is no longer scratching up my new laminate floor!
I also organized what I call a “command center” on one of my kitchen counters. This space now has a spot for all of our mail, not just mine. (I have teenagers and they get mail!) I also properly hung up our 2012 calendar (took me a few monthss)!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like you got a lot done Becky!
xo,
s
Lizzie in Bklyn says
Boooo HP printer. We have the same terrible model! I can’t wait to use up all of my ink and then get a new one!
snosie says
I’m inspired by your listy-mc-listerson (and the great name too… very Grey’s Anatomy!). I wrote one when I moved into my place (around Jan), and it’s stuck up in the linen closest. Then I made a new one in the past week or two whilst I’ve been sick on the sofa. Last time I listed tasks by room, this time I have a matrix, hard/easy, cheap/pricey (four boxes), so I can alternate between my to do’s without feeling too poor!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love it!
xo,
s
Lauren@FilingJointly says
I don’t make lists of accomplishments so much as make ‘To-Do’ lists after I’ve already completed a bunch of things so that I can put them on there just to cross them off. I like crossing things off.
Here are things I can cross off for the last couple of weeks.
Get entire new house painted (I’m not much of a DIYer…probably shouldn’t admit that here.)
Move.
Reveal all of my deepest darkest secrets online.
http://www.filing-jointly.com/2012/05/return-of-five-things-friday-for-one.html
Paint ALL of my toenails and not just the two toenails one can see peeking out of my work shoes.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I love that post. You’re honest, charming, and hilarious. As for the toenails thing, I totally did that in NYC when I wore work shoes. There would be ten layers of polish on two toes and eight naked/chipping ones. Haha.
xo,
s
JoniB says
In April I did my first ORB project and painted an old bookcase that was in my room all my childhood and now it sits proudly in my living room. I painted my kitchen a soft gray in anticipation of painting the laminate countertop slate (that’s a May project). I also painted the phone cabinet a nice crisp white and finished putting a new coat of white on all the door trim in the house.
My May list has me changing out all the kitchen outlets to white and putting down new baseboard trim. And I’ve already made new curtains for the kitchen window (my first ones). Feels so good to accomplish so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Yay for all the accomplishments guys! We love reading what you’ve tackled!
xo,
s
Ally says
I just ‘followed’ you on Instagram! I’m with you, J…it’s equally as fun as Pinterest :)
$herdog, I’m waiting for delivery of my Pottery Barn pillow shams (like the ones in your pretty guest room :) I remember the original story that went with them…someone said that when you gave birth to Clara, you should have some really pretty pillowcases, since they’d be seen in all kinds of photo’s. I’ve never forgotten that. When I see sweet Clara and those colourful pillow cases, it always makes me smile :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! I was just telling John I love them so much I might steal them for our bedroom! Haha. Pillows like to move around at our house! Enjoy yours!
xo,
s
Julia says
So, every month I open up my reader and laugh… because in my head the title is “April Superlaxatives.”
Then, I pretend I’m not almost 30, giggle like a school girl, and remember that you are talking about something other than a genetically engineered prune juice concoction.
Thank you for my month blog giggle. A giggle much like Anderson Cooper:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MumI6KovUk&w=560&h=315%5D
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahahahha. Thanks. Now I’m going to see that word every time too. Hilarious.
xo,
s
NYer says
Just wondering where you spied those fun napkins with the colorful birds in the Instagram post. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Ikea! Aren’t they cute? We got three packs!
xo,
s
Lynn says
That MTV clip made my night!!! I had no idea that you were a “white aspiring rapper!”
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, you have to click through to the original post for that ridiculous explanation. Haha.
xo,
s
Olivia: wife. mother. photographer says
So the slim shady thing had me laughing…
But, I can’t judge because MTV came and video-taped me and the now-hubby for Engaged and Underage when I was 19 (almost 20). THANK GOD the show got cancelled before we aired, LOL. It’s so fake, and they want drama… it would have made us look so goofy to the world. Soooooo glad it never saw the light of day! ;)
Sherry, I feel ya, lol.
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting! I love hearing behind the scenes stuff like that!
xo,
s
Angela says
I hope it’s not creepy to say, “this reminded me of you,” but, this reminded me of you. :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81562325/octopus-with-golden-crown-original
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I love it!
xo,
s
Amy @ this DIY life says
There’s that green vase I covet again :) As for everything else, y’all are so productive! All I did was a new flower bed: http://thisdiylife.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/a-river-runs-through-it/.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome! So much work!
xo,
s
Heidi P. says
This is totally off-topic, but some time ago, I saw you have a bright pink garden stool and a beige? gray? pouf. Where did you get those? And did you fork out the $$$ for the garden stool?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh that garden stool is actually red (sometimes it looks pink for some reason) and I bought it from jossandmain.com a few months ago along with the pouf. During book shooting in Jan/Feb we were so crazy with blog/book stuff that we were bad about updating you guys on those small purchases so we’ll have to write a post with a few “small stuff we forgot to tell you- oops” things! Haha.
xo,
s
Christina says
I LOVED the Fanatic picture! A guy I went to H.S. with was on that show for Kidd Rock. At least you were 17. He was in college by that point! haha I also did an April project and man, do I wish I had pictures. I am 8 months pregnant (7 at the time) and bought a $40 dresser off of Craigslist, sanded and repainted it. I also lucked out with the most perfect handles from Lowe’s. They were an odd size and Lowe’s had ONE pack that worked and to my surprise, they were the exact ones we had envisioned! So now our little bundle of boy joy will have to coolest dresser/changing table. I have to admit, this has been one of my most proud moments! Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like you got so much done! So glad those knobs worked perfectly! Love to the bundle of boy joy!
xo,
s
John@RemodelingBIBLE says
#nomoreeyecontactwithstrangerswhilepeeing just made my day! Thanks for the inspiration and ideas. :) (By the way, please check out my site if you can. I’ve got a lot of remodeling videos there that you will surely love.)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks John! Off to check it out!
xo,
s
Alison says
You two tackle more in one month than manage to tackle in one year! Thanks for all of the inspiration.
Angela says
I am *totally* sheeping your idea to turn children’s art into fabric when I re-do my boys’ bedrooms! Very jealous of how much you’ve achieved this month. Our DIY to do list for April was “paint the outside of the house” but all we’ve done is half a wall. It’s generally pretty sunny and nice in South East England at this time of year but we’ve had near constant rain for 2 months (it’s like living in a British stereotype where it rains all the time).
Jo says
Call me crazy, but the old milk bottle cap made it into a dream of mine last night. I’m wondering if there isn’t a story there!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, I love it.
xo,
s
Meredith says
I’ve been meaning to ask you guys about the spray painted chairs. How many cans of paint did it take? And were you able to recycle them? You can’t recycle them in my area, but since you guys try to be so green, I can’t imagine you tossing huge piles of spray paint cans. Or maybe you’re hoarding them away in the playroom for a can craft. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, you can bring them to the drop off for paint cans and spray paint cans in our area, so we usually do runs once every few months with all of our old empty paint cans. As for how many, I think we had three on hand (since I hoard ORB because it tends to sell out) and only needed two more, so five cans total.
xo,
s
Sara says
If you’re trying to grow grass you should try “magic sheets” as my dad calls them. Once you loosen up the dirt and sprinkle your seeds, then stretch an old sheet over the area and stake down the corners. The sheet lets the sun in while keeping the birds out, and it also keeps the earth nice and moist underneath, perfect for seedlings.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that tip Sara!
xo,
s