I promised more Bower visit deets on Wednesday when we dorkily spilled the beans that Katie B and I had been together in a series of photos that can only be described as awkwaaaard (get to the root of that joke here). You know we love a good Bower Visit Breakdown (like this one, this one, this one, and this one of yore). But before we get to all the stuff we did together, we’ll share the little video that we made for ya. Because KB and I always get the same few questions:
- how did you guys meet?
- are you real friends or just blog friends?
- how long have you been friends?
- what were your first impressions of each other?
- what surprised you about each other?
- what do you like to do together?
- how are your styles similar? how are they different?
- do your husbands really get along?
So we thought we’d answer them all on film for ya. Warning: you’re about to lose 12 minutes of your life to two giggly girls who incessantly say the word “like” and perform incredibly terrible impersonations of each other).
When it came to the stuff that we did together this time, here we go:
- filled our bellies with a ton of favorite local food (Bottom’s Up, Q BBQ, Carytown Burger & Fries) along with enjoying a few home cooked meals together in our torn apart kitchen courtesy of chef John
- did fun stuff with the kiddos like going for a walk near the river (where Katie snapped some family photos for us), hanging at the playground (where Clara & Will had some quality sandbox time), and even attending Clara’s weekly music class with Will in tow (he fit right in)
- checked out a few Saturday morning yard sales and even found a Goodwill Outlet (where they sell things by the pound in giant bins – it was like nothing Katie or I had ever seen)
- strolled around Carytown (where we did some browsing at a few thrift shops and consignment stores) and shopped at Stonypoint mall (where Jeremy got the same jeans as John, I’m telling you our men are hilarious together)
- hung around the house while our kids napped (Clara slept from around one to two thirty, and Will would sleep from two to five… so we were house-bound for a good chunk of time each day- which we used to do some synchronized blogging, talk about future projects, debate the merits of certain paint colors, take naps on the sofa, etc)
- rented a few movies after the kids went to bed for the night (X-Men: First Class for the boys and Bridesmaids for the girls) – we also watched a lot of Bang For Your Buck on HGTV since we liked betting which room got the most bang
In summary: good times. Katie even used her photog skillz to take some sweet pics:
So thankful for good friends, good weather, and sweet babies. Er, I guess they’re technically toddlers now. Sniffle. Did any of you guys hang with friends this weekend? Or have a weird feeling that KB and I were together? One commenter totally guessed that we were visiting each other while it was happening and we had no idea how they knew about it (maybe they’re psychic? or they saw us around town together?).
Psst- Check out Katie’s sweet post about everything. She even dug up our first email exchange. Love that lady.
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
omg these pictures are adorable! Looks like you all(including the kids!) all had a great time. Can’t wait to watch the video :)
Jessica Ballard says
YAY, now you totally have me craving some carytown burgers. We always go there when visiting my sister. We sadly usually get the same thing though and split it- love the blue cheese burger and the taco burger. Yummo. Have you been to Can-can and tried their Fragels? not sure if I spelled them right, but that is another must eat while we are there. i know we will be going for a visit before the end of the year but they are moving into a new house next week so it will be when they are ready for company/help moving and shopping. so i keep your shops in mind of places for us to hit.
YoungHouseLove says
Mmm, love Can-Can but never had their fragels. Will have to check them out!
xo,
s
Emily Z says
A bagel fragel?! Those are so freaking delicious. Horribly fattening, but so worth it.
Liz says
Oh my gosh, I’m here local in Richmond – could I ask you where this Goodwill Outlet is? I can already feel my heart pounding with excitement. LOL.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s over near Hull Street I think? Sort of near the LaPrade library? We were using a phone app to find yard sales and it took us there- so I’m not sure actually. Maybe try googling it?
xo,
s
kristen says
It’s on Midlo just east of Chippenham:
Warehouse Outlet
6301 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: (804) 521-4921
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks!
xo,
s
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
Looks like you guys had a great time!
Will and Clara are so adorable together!
Suzanne Supplee says
Friendship is a beautiful thing!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
It is fun to have friends to hang out with.
Kristen @ My Covered Bridge says
How fun! I LOVE those pictures of Clara! Especially the first one – with all those teeth! Cute.
Melissa says
The family shot of ya’ll sitting on the log is great! definitly frame worthy!! :0)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Melissa! We love that one too. Definitely going up on the hallway frame wall!
xo,
s
Tammy says
Sherry,
Where did you get that adorable black trench? LOVE it!
xo,
Tammy
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Banana Republic Outlet last year. Maybe try ebay though? It has blue and white pinstripe lining if that helps you hunt it down!
xo,
s
Matt says
Tell Katie B that she is oversaturating the blues in her photos waaaay too much. Looks artificial and starts to take away from them. also, the trick where you sharpen the eyes and make them look like aliens is not that popular anymore.
YoungHouseLove says
Katie actually didn’t have a chance to formally retouch anything yet Matt! Just downloaded the pics right off her camera for me before leaving! So grateful that she snapped so many awesome pics of our family!
xo,
s
Emily says
I’m all for constructive criticism, but this is a little more mean spirited than constructive.
Pointing out that the blues may be oversaturated is fine, or that you don’t like the way she sharpens the eyes,but try a little more tact next time.
If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
Stephanie says
I don’t know what Matt is talking about. Of course, I’m not a photographer, just a mom who appreciates adorable family photos. They are all amazing. Lucky to have a friend that’s a photog!
Jennifer says
I actually thought Katie B did a lovely job with the depth of field in those close ups of Clara and the family shot, and the bright colors definitely suit those pictures. Beautiful fam. :-)
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says
Sherry –
You rock. I love how you keep your compsure and class even when people try to bring you down! Katie’s pics are incredible! I think we can all agree that we wish that we could have a friend to get amazing candid shots of family or that we’d have that much talent to take pictures!
I think it’s amazing that you two meet through blogging and both you and Katie along with hubbies and kiddees have cultivated such a great relationship. Good friends are truly hard to come by and it’s awesome that you all are so close!
I hope you have a great weekend!
Ruth says
Even though you typed your comment into a machine, it still gets delivered to a real person, you know? If you wouldn’t say it in person, there’s no reason to say it on the internet either.
If I were guessing I would say that Katie has her saturation turned up in the camera settings but being that she does pro shoots she ALSO probably shoots in RAW so that she has the most control when adjusting her pictures later.
I would love to have someone take such great pictures of my family; they are gorgeous.
Kate says
Wow, Matt, that was not a very nice way to say that. Kudos to Sherry for her classy and sweet response, though. And personally I love the colors in the photos.
KLL says
the photos are awesome. I love Clara’s sparkly eyes and all of the blue the boys seem to be wearing beneath the blue sky.
Ashley says
I love those first 2 of Clara. Such a sweet personality she has! She most definitely looks like you, Sherry! :D
Pamela says
Lol don’t worry Sherry I used to only own one bra as well! Now I own 2….only because my one sometimes wouldn’t air dry fast enough after washing it hahaha.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, it’s not that crazy. Right? Maybe it is but I’m in denial.
xo,
s
Anne says
I only have 2 for the same reason. Bras are so expensive!
Lindsay says
I also only switch between two! And I kinda wondered over the weekend when I was on pinterest and saw that you were both pinning things at the same time if you were actually together! And I love all of the pics Katie took! Such great shots! And apparently, I punctuate with ! after every sentence I write!
Christine says
I am a three bra girl. I always found that I had a favorite one anyway. Is that weird? So I just bought three of my favorite and now I never have to choose.
Katie G says
Haha this also made me laugh as well because I’m pretty much the same way. I only had between 1-2 all the way through high school and most of college. I have somewhere between 3-5 right now, but most of the time I just wear the same one all the time. :)
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says
LOLZ! This is hilarious! I love that there is running commentary on bras!
One day when you open up the YHL Store you now know you have a market for boobie baskets! I can see it now!
Young House Bra’s – For Women of DIY
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, nice.
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Haha I’m currently down to just one also! Long story, but I’m hoping to get at least another this weekend. I’m not that good at doing laundry often, god bless you for keeping up with it :)
Anya says
I also had to laugh about the one bra comment. I have a bunch of bras but only end up wearing one all the time. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Thanks again for the awesome video. The guys looked great matching, and I loved the coordinated drinking and mouth wiping! I can tell y’all have great fun together!
Sara says
Haha – yes! I own 4 bras (2 nude, 1 dark, 1 light) and yet only wear 1 (the nude one) all the time! My boyfriend is constantly joking with me about it and saying he’s going to hide that bra from me! I totally understand where you’re coming from!
Thank you for the validation!
Brandi @ His Shabby Her Chic says
Looks like you guys had a great time! That’s a great family picture too!!
AarthiD says
A-freaking-dorable. I’m not going to lie, when I saw the pics of you and Katie together, I was like, “OMG!” in the office. My coworkers thought I went bananas. It was awesome! :D I love those pics, FYI.
And oh man, the pics of you guys…and the boys….and the kids! <3 Will and Clara are just too. adorable.
Allyn says
Oh so cute babies! Will always makes my ovaries hurt a little (TMI?). It would be so totally awesome if they wound up together someday. Cute babies makin cute babies.
You girls are hilarious.
Victoria R says
Slow day at work, so I totally watched your video. So glad I watched the whole thing. Your husbands at the end were hilarious!
Amanda says
Oh God! John and the hubby of Katie were HILARIOUS! I wasn’t expecting that. hee-hee Loved the whole video. Sherry, your Jersey accent is so hot, and your Southern one was hands down the funniest thing I have ever heard from you! Great way to start a Friday morning.
Mandy says
Hey, I recognize that park! Yay for accessible playgrounds!
Jen A says
Has Clara ever cried or frowned or even stuck her bottom lip out just a little? Great pics. :o)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- yes! She definitely has her moments! Now she’s getting molars – so that’s interesting!
xo,
s
Rachel says
oh. my. god. The end of that video kills me. That was so much fun to watch!!
Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says
You guys are too cute! John and Jeremy at the end crack me up. Looks like you had a great time!
Ade@FortheLoveofPainting says
I am so fascinated by you two…what a great friendship!
I wanted to let you know that I am doing a Pinterest Week, where I talk about all the PAINTED pinterest things I like. I also am going to be talking about my Pinterest Challenge Project, see it here:
http://www.fortheloveofpainting.com/2011/10/a-fun-week-ahead/
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo,
s
Erin says
Love your blog and BowerPower :) Living in Richmond with an eleven month old and just wondering what park you all are at?! It looks fabulous!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s Huguenot park. Love it!
xo,
s
Kelly says
You girls are too cute! I love it! You both are so blessed tom have each other in your lives!
Ps- where did you girls get your cute earrings? I love them both!
YoungHouseLove says
Mine are from Target. Hmm, not sure where Katie’s are from but I LOVED them.
xo,
s
Kasey March says
Shane and I spent last weekend visiting too! It’s so nice to get together with friends and share interests (like bargain hunting in thift stores).
I love that you share posts of your friendship with the Bowers and vice versa.
PS Clara’s little knit cap in your family photo is adorable. Where did you get it? My nephew is going to need something similar it’s already cold here in NJ.
YoungHouseLove says
That was originally from the Gap – but it was a lucky hand me down from her cousin Elsa!
xo,
s
Heather says
OMG! The video clip with the guys is hi-larious. I had to watch it like 5 times. Haha! Sounds like it was good times had by all!
Sarah F says
Those photos are great!
Holly@Loveoflifeblog says
Those family pictures are beautiful! Y’all are so cute :)
Karen F says
great pics! and the end of the video made me laugh out loud!
YAYDIY says
Great pics! Are you guys still using the D3000? What lens did you use here? I have the D5000, but whatever lens that is, I need it!!! They are great! Clara is so cute!
Erin from YAYDIY.com
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, still using the D3000. But Katie took all these pics on her awesome camera. It’s a Canon something I think…
xo,
s
[email protected] says
Love little Clara’s expression on the photo of the three of you. Katie B. is very good behind the lens!!
meganleiann says
Something freaked out (on my end I think) and as soon as Katie said, “She has ONE BRA,” the screen went blank and it read “An Error Occurred.” I thought it was intentional at first! I almost spit out my coffee it was so funny!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha- too funny! Accidental cliff hanger!
xo,
s
Amy @ this DIY life says
I have two, but only wear one of them :) I don’t think it’s that crazy!
Georgia Rowe says
so LUCKY to have found friends like that. :) x
Josie @ Couponing Made Simple says
so, so awesome. my fav part of the video is the boys at the end. LOVED that they played it so straight. that’s good stuff. thanks for sharing your sista-mance with your adoring public.
annabelvita says
Aww that video was so cute… You’re definitely real friends not just blog friends because only real friends can be mean to each other like that….
I just got back from a five day long girls’ holiday in Spain, it was fab (http://annabelvita.com/hola) but I’m so so bad to be back at home!
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
I had a terrible morning today and your video helped brighten it all! Your giggle fest is contagious! And the bit with the guys at the end was HIL-ARIOUS! :)
Chrissie says
Fun! That video had me giggling all the way through =) That reminds me, I really need to catch up with my bestie and her little boy soon! It’s lady date time ;-)
Amanda says
Those photos of you all are so cute. & Will & Clara are adorable together.
I love that you two are friends, and that we get to read each others perspective of your visits together on each others blog. :)
Laura says
I also have only one bra!! Well technically two, I have a beige one for under white that gets worn like once a month, so I am essentially a one bra girl as well!
Meredith says
Awww, this made my morning! Love it! You guys and your kids are so cute together. :)
Christy Bryan says
Love the ending, that was funny! And I’m with you with the bra situation, I mean I don’t have one, but 3, black, cream, and pink. The basic colors :)
my honest answer says
Can’t wait to see the video – just need to find my headphones. Argh, where have they gone?! Can you do an organizing post soon?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- hope ya find them soon!
xo,
s
Melinda says
Oh my Lord… Love this post! I think you and Katie Bower are BOTH hilarious. I am an avid reader of YHL and Bower Power. Y’all are my blog idols. HA! Is that weird? Yes. Yes, it is.
Sew View says
I have many many sisters. (You wouldn’t believe me if I told you how many). You guys remind of being with them. It’s great that you two are such great friends. And KB is a phenom with the camera. The best pictures I’ve seen of Clara.
sarah (sarah learns) says
loved the video – you guys are so cute & fun together! i also loved the men at the end. haha, did they plan that?! ;)
also, i love the new family photos & clara pics that katie took for you guys. so cute!
liz says
You girls made my day! Thanks for a morning laugh.
Amy @ this DIY life says
The video isn’t showing up for me. Is it on vimeo? I have 12 minutes to spare while I’m playing with HTML today – boooooring and I’m sure y’all can make it a little more interesting ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Weird, it’s on youtube! Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWNWDZY8jj0&feature=player_embedded
xo,
s
Kristin ~ Bien Living Design says
Best bra washing tip ever (if putting them in the washing machine ruins them, like mine!): wear it in the shower, soap it up, rinse & hang to dry :)
Of course, you’d need to invest in at least one more bra for this to work…
You guys are really cute :) I love friends!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- love it!
xo,
s
Carla Runs The World says
OMG, I totally want to hang out with you guys! And I was only a couple of hours away in Arlington!!! (Now I’m in Manila, Philippines for the next 1.5 years, it’s a tad of a commute…)
Christin says
You guys seriously crack me up. Just the pick me up I needed on a bad day at work! The best part of the video was John and Jeremy at the end. Those pictures Katie took are so adorable!! How cool is it that you meet such a good friend via blogging? Life can be so great like that sometimes. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah Mc says
Seriously those boys are hilarious.