It’s Tuesday afternoon, which means it’s high time for some over-sharing (aw yeah, let’s talk about feelings, shall we?). The very first hot-off-the-presses copy of our book arrived via Fed Ex yesterday and it kind of melted my brain a little, I think.
We couldn’t stop beaming at it and saying things like “It’s real! It has pages! It has a cover! It has our names on it!” – but I’d be lying if I said that “crazy-pants excited” was my only response to seeing it there on the floor looking all real and book-like.
I’m also skeered. Really scared actually.
And since I’ve spilled my guts about 14 months of breast feeding, owned up to a bunch of my unglamorous $herdog quirks, and even a copped to a beyond embarrassing teenage moment caught on video with a certain platinum-haired rapper, I’m cool with dropping this whole “jittery sweaty-palmed fear is actively happening” truth bomb. I mean I think I can be described as a lot of things, but I wouldn’t call myself especially brave. I have normal insecurities and self-doubts and all that. The book is a really big thing, so it feels especially scary. And for some reason I thought that pouring my heart out in a little online ditty could be the emotional equivalent to owning it (and perhaps others who’ve struggled with similar things might chime in and make me feel less weird). So here it goes.
I think it’s one thing to keep an online DIY diary for the world to read for free, but somehow putting out a book that then exists in the universe forever feels a lot more intimidating. Sure it’s hardly a high-profile thriller or much anticipated non-fiction, but there’s something crazy about not just being able to toss up an update if there’s a sentence that’s unclear or a typo that sneaks through like we do on the blog. The words that we wrote in that manuscript back in 2011 are printed and soon they’ll be on a shelf. Lots of shelves. And it just feels a lot more weighty and permanent.
Plus people have to pay for it. We worked darn hard to keep the price down, and even though books are returnable or re-sellable (and we got on our publisher’s last nerve to keep that price down) it still feels a lot… bigger. More complicated than a blog post by about 500 percent. I mean it’s 336 pages long with 243 suggestions/tips/projects, so it’s sort of like secretly writing 243 different posts and then publishing them all at once for a fee and then not getting to update or edit them if anything about any of them calls for a little note. Wait, it’s not sort of like that, it’s exactly like that. Maybe that’s why it feels a lot scarier.
It was also pretty intimidating to plan the entire book over three years. Finalizing the outline a year and a half in advance (that’s when we pinned down every last project) and shooting all the projects nearly a year ago (in an epic three week marathon at our house where neither of us remember eating or sleeping) was definitely like nothing we’ve ever done.
It was nerve-wracking in that “what if we regret these color or fabric choices later?” kind of way.
I’ve even had nightmares that there were typos on every page, chunks of blank pages, and even a particularly vivid one about some fictitious magazine that somehow recreated every last one of our projects identically (same exact fabrics and colors!) and scooped us by publishing them before our book came out. Oh yeah, my brain can go a little nuts whirring away while I’m laying in bed thinking of all the ways this endeavor could make me want to crawl under the covers a la Burger:
But this little freak-out fest does have a silver lining. The thing that I feel the most – even stronger that the jitters and self-doubt – is actually gratitude and pride. Not “I’m an author, look at me” pride, just “wow we actually did this” pride. Sometimes I can’t believe that I somehow convinced myself (and John) to put ourselves out there and write a book. Knowing that just like our blog not everyone will love it, and that’s ok. Blogging has taught is that we can’t please all of the people all of the time, so we want to focus on the positive and amazing aspects of this experience. Whenever I’m feeling especially clammy I just remind myself that there hasn’t been a single book on the planet that was beloved by everyone who ever read it (some of my faves have 5-star reviews as well as 1-star ones) so that helps me let go of that “be perfect or you suck!” voice in the back of my mind. Imperfect = real life. Like this crazy seconds-from-a-paw-yank family photo from last week:
So you can find me hiding under the covers with Burger when I get that guts-in-knots feeling, but don’t get me started about how excited I am for the tour. I know meeting you guys will be awesome and I’m literally giddy with excitement to thank you guys in person for the love you’ve shown us. And speaking of the tour, they added four more signings! Woot.
You can see more general tour info on our book page (just click the tour dates button), but here’s the news that we have so far on the new dates:
- RIDGEWOOD, NJ: Friday, November 2, 7pm – Bookends, 211 Ridgewood Ave, book signing. More info here.
- WASHINGTON, DC: Saturday, December 1st, Time TBD – Living Social, 918 F Street, Talk, holiday crafting, and book signing. More details to be released here.
- RICHMOND, VA: Sunday, December 2nd, 1pm – Mongrel, 2924 W. Cary Street, book signing. Store information here.
- CHARLOTTE, NC: Early February. Other details TBD
*There’s also serious talk about an Atlanta stop while we’re nearby in Charlotte, so we’ll keep you posted! And of course other places like Philly & Cali are still being chatted about. We wish we had more control over what cities we’re hitting! It really is all about who invites us where (so it has nothing to do with how big a city is, it’s all about if a certain vendor or bookstore works with the dates/times/etc).
Anyway, thanks to you guys for being so excited and supportive about this whole crazy book journey! It’s kind of a big deal in our little lives, and you’re just the best readers ever. So in return we’re burning the midnight oil to churn out a bunch of projects for ya (even when we’re slipping through 20 cities we’ll be doing our best to blog at our regular pace, with lots of secretly stockpiled makeovers & projects of ours along with house crashing & window shopping adventures a plenty). Not to mention that we have another before-and-after-fest in the hopper for you tomorrow.
Not sure how to end this ramble-fest, so… word to your motha. $herdog out.
Annalynn says
Congratulations! Nerves are normal, but I promise, no one will remember the things you think aren’t perfect. They will remember what they liked about it. Hope to see you guys in Chicago. Bring jackets. It can be cold here in November.
Jill Stevens says
I’m so sad I am going to miss the Cincinnati visit because I have National Guard drill this weekend. Sniffle Sniffle. I live in south-eastern Indiana and thats the closest you guys will be to me. Hope you have a great day there. I’ll be thinking of what I’m missing when I am playing Army.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jill! Love that you’re doing that! Totally bad a$$! Haha!
xo
s
Austin says
I see a big hole in the west on your tour map. Come to Salt Lake City!!
Teri says
Can’t believe that in just a few days I will get to meet you in Cincy!! So excited to get the book!!
Emily says
I help people write for a living. It’s usually government reports and the like but your feelings are universal. With your blog, posts are always within your grasp and you can tweak them and fix them over and over again. The book is actually an excellent opportunity to practice LETTING GO. You’ve done your absolute best to write something fantastic (I know I can’t wait to read it!!!). Now, let the world enjoy it. That’s all. Step back and let it be. And, when there are lessons to be learned, learn them and get ready to apply them to the next book. Be proud of yourself! Your readers are completely stoked for you!!!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re so sweet! Our publisher wrote a letter with our copy of the book that came yesyterday and it said “now just kick back and enjoy!” and I thought “whaaaat???!! I have days of freaking out and worrying to do!” hahah! I’ll definitely have to work at letting go.
xo
s
Georgie says
Um, a bit off topic, but I LOVE your shoes in that last pic Sherry! where did you get them?
And congrats on the book, mine is on pre order :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Dillards a few years ago.
xo
s
Jessica says
Philly! Philly! Philly!
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says
I am so excited to hear that an ATL stop might be included… especially if it would come around the time of the Charlotte stop. That gives me plenty of time to save up to make the drive over from Birmingham! It’s gonna be a crazy next couple of months for you guys but how awesome to get to do all that traveling. Hopefully, you will get to do a little bit of each city.
Laura W says
SO excited about Charlotte!!! Hoping its a weekend so I can make the drive or shoot, I’ll take a vacay day to see you guys!! So proud of you guys for following your dreams, truly an inspiration for all of us. Can’t wait for my copy to arrive! I just got Ana White’s book in the mail yesterday! All you crafty bloggers and your books… :)
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh we got hers too! So much fun!
xo
s
Nina says
Yay, Charlotte!! And in early february, right around my birthday!! Looks like an autographed book by my favorite bloggers will be a gift to myself!
Ariel says
What up Ridgewood!!! Are you a north Jersey girl?
YoungHouseLove says
Parsippany, represent!
xo
s
Ariel says
I must’ve asked you that before. I used to live in Parsippany, now in Cedar Knolls, and I grew up in Bergen county, not far from Ridgewood. :-)
I’m so excited! The new tour stop totally brightened my sh*t-tastic day!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny! Jersey is a small world!
xo
s
Vonda says
I’m a little nervous for you too, but I think it’s really more excitement than nervous, or perhaps my nervousness on how geeky I’ll be when you sign my book!! I just know the book is going to be a smashing success. And you make RVA proud. AND I’m SUPPER excited about the Mongrel addition as I know I should have my pre-order in hand by that date.
carrie @ brick city love says
YAY NJ!!! I’m totally coming.
Leyna says
Oh, Sherry. Don’t be scurred, ’cause there ain’t nothing to worry about. Let your hair down, and square dance with me!
Okay. I don’t square dance, but I do live in Texas. I’m an Austinite currently trapped in Houston and am sooooo stoked you guys are coming. I understand the jitters, but I have a feeling that so many of us love you guys for your honesty and scrappiness that this book is going to be a hit even WITH typos, blank pages, being scooped, or aliens changing all the words to Pig Latin. Seriously.
See you on Nov. 15th! I’ll be the sassy beached whale who’s still willing to climb a ladder at 7 months pregnant since Sherry & John said I don’t have to live with a half-bath color I hate!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Leyna!
xo
s
Penny says
Got my book on order, can’t wait.
Just really take care of each other on your tour
and don’t worry so much about us for a while,
we will all be busy reading our books !
Wish you were coming to London, perhaps for the next book ?
Regards Penny x
YoungHouseLove says
That would be the coolest thing ever!
xo
s
Penny says
Getting a reply back from you made up for not meeting you in
person !
Made my night thank you x
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Penny, gosh- you’re so sweet. We love you.
xo
s
Azar says
I’m so glad to see a new DC date that’s on a weekend, since that means I’ll be able to come. Watching the livingsocial page with bated breath!
Heather says
Yay!!! So excited that you’re coming to NC! I was so hoping a NC date would be added! I’ll see ya in February! Woot!
Katherine says
That’s the best part, though–we, your loyal readers, totally won’t even care if there are typos (or nightmarishly blank pages!). We love the blog and are just so thrilled that this book project has come together for you in the first place. Seriously, from the bottom of my heart (and I’m sure all of ours)–congrats, congrats, congrats. I’ll see you soon in Cinci!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Katherine!
xo
s
tashia says
So excited to attend the signing in Minneapolis! Your blog was one of the first I started following years ago and you’ve inspired a good friend and I to start a blog to keep us creative and crafty and always dreaming about what comes next! Thank you! So excited for the book (i’ve ordered it), but will have to buy one in person too per your request!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Tashia! You’re so sweet!
xo
s
Amber says
SOOOO excited for the North Carolina date! WOOOHOOOO
Cathy says
So excited about the Charlotte stop. That’s within a reasonable distance from here in Greenville, SC and there’s an IKEA there. I see a day trip in the future! :-)
The price is great! I wouldn’t sweat over that one. It cost a third of that to buy most magazines if you pick them up in the supermarket, and it’s still less than a subscription for a magazine.
Some people may find typos, but most of us either won’t find them or won’t care if we do! :-)
Can’t wait to get my copy! Congrats again. :-)
michele says
we have this awesome iron sign hanging in our house that i got at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (one of the best places ever, btw) that says “Nothing comes from nothing.” (King Lear, I believe.)
You guys epitomize this sentiment… you work hard, and you are rewarded for your hard work with AMAZING results that we all draw inspiration from.
This book is a giant step in the same direction… hard work equalling great results. You didn’t think out this blog post a year in advance, and it’s content and execution are pretty darn fantastic. So I completely trust that content that you worked together on for the past 3 years?! If any minor “oops” slipped through it’s going to pale in comparison to the amount of “amazing” on the page.
i’m so excited for you guys, and couldn’t resist a pep talk! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Michele!
xo
s
decoratica says
Hey, what about an international tour? hahaha! I admire what you do it’s great, with great quality and I’m sure your book will be great too. You deserve the success!!
XOXO
D.
YoungHouseLove says
International would be amazing! Maybe someday!
xo
s
Jen says
Yay, Ridgewood! The only town I know of where the motorcycle gang hangs out at the local independent coffee shop! :)
I’m excited that I now no longer have to skulk creepily around the Soho party by myself, but can drag my husband and our little nugget out to see you closer to home. And maybe get pancakes for dinner st he amazing Country Pancake House across the street. Look there, how I’ve just planned us a little date …
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo!
xo
s
Angela L says
Sherry, you wrote: “that “be perfect or you suck!” voice in the back of my mind”
Don’t worry, I have that voice, too, and it speaks very loudly and clearly way too often! But it’s wrong – don’t listen to it!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Angela! Why is it that we’re not ok with a few little imperfections? It’s so weird and totally not true.
xo
s
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats says
OMG yayyy you’re coming to DC twice!! I love that one is a Saturday bc I was already worrying what would happen if I get out of work late on the 28th and would have to rush to meet you guys (God forbid). Now I can choose!! You guys are the best and I can’t wait til your book shows up on my doorstep (thank you Amazon!) woohoo!!
Trish says
I would be nervous too but I’m so stinkin’ excited about your book that I can’t hardly wait. My sister-in-law and I squeeee when we talk about you guys and what you’ve been up to.
mary says
Just so you’re not worried about perfection, plenty of my knitting/sewing books have mistakes that are rectified on the authors’ website. I’m not bothered by the mistakes, and have found new blogs to read by looking up the fixes. And I agree with an earlier comment, there is just something nice about holding a tangible book. Looking forward to Chicago!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Mary! That makes me feel better!
xo
s
Josephine says
First of all, congratulations! I’m a book designer by trade so I know how much work goes into a simple text-only book, never mind the project/photo extravaganza that is your book!
I hope you can ultimately be at peace with your work. As far as your concerns go about wanting to edit projects/fabric choices in the book – that’s what the blog is for! That’s the beauty of your particular situation, having a blog means you can change your mind… a lot of the authors I deal with don’t have that luxury ;-)
I hope you enjoy your book tour – a shame you can’t make it to Sydney, Australia ;-) I’ve always fancied meeting you guys in real life, you seem like a hoot ( and Clara and my son Oliver were born on exactly the same day!).
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, we’d die to come out to Sydney!!
xo
s
Jes-ka says
Soooooooooooper excited for you guys! Not to mention I am super excited to put your handy little book to work. :D
Eileen says
OMG!!!!!! You’re coming to Jersey!!!
Just read your post and screamed, pretty sure I scared my husband to death.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahh!
xo
s
jessibee says
HaHaHa…the fake magazine scooping you is so some crazy scenario I would come up with! The good news is that you have the blog and all of us to vouch for you!
You guys have been in my life for so many years now that I am as excited for you as I would be for my own family. Your book is kind of a big deal in my little life too!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jessibee! You’re so sweet.
xo
s
Audrey says
Charlotte????!!!!! Shut up!!! I can’t WAIT!
And on a more serious note, I can totally relate to your feelings in this post. It IS scary to put yourself out there in permanent ink for the world to see – but your blog proves that your readers love the honesty and style that you bring to us, and that we’re confident your book will do the same! I’m proud of you guys – I’ve been following you for a long time – and it’s been awesome to see you accomplish these new things. (And BTW, don’t think for a second that some of the most famous interior designers don’t look back at some of their 1980s publications and wonder WTH they were thinking.)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahahahhah!
xo
s
Mallory says
Just started a blog of my own after reading yours for years and I have the exact same feeling starting something new and putting your own voice out there in to the world for others to see. But relish in the joy of finally having completed it!
Can’t wait to get my copy! And I echo the CA destination. Los Angeles needs some YHLove!
Jen Migonis says
Of course you are nervous, this is HUGE AND EXCITING! And you know what, even if there was a typo on every page I’m sure I’d love the book to pieces. Can’t wait to read it and see you and John while you are in Boston.
deb says
I’m so excited to get my copy!
So… when are you coming to New Zealand? :)
YoungHouseLove says
We wish!!
xo
s
Kelly H. says
oh.ma.gah! CHARLOTTE! Glad someone got off their butts and invited you. I guess I can stop trying to figure out the logistics of having a YHL signing in our tiny bungalow!
Congrats on the book! You guys should be so proud of yourselves!
Laura says
Super excited about the Charlotte stop!
Laurie says
I know, it’s that word POSTERITY. What will we leave behind us for others to know us by. You guys are very brave to put it all out there. My daughter and I will see you in Toronto so excited!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Laurie!
xo
s
karen little says
I’m so happy for y’all as if it were my own family accomplishing so much at such a young age! I can’t wait to get the two books I preordered as one will be under the Christmas tree for my daughter. I also remember when I was stressed about stuff and they showed up in dreams. So weird…back when I had our first child in 1974,I did natural childbirth, Lamaze method (which was great) but I had “skeered” flashes, before she was born, that I wouldn’t be able to fold the cloth diapers! The only thing I ever freaked about in my thoughts and dreams….so, you’re totally normal. After all, you’ve “birthed” a book! Love y’all from Williamsburg, Va.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, this baby is making me nerrrrvous! Haha!
xo
s
Kay says
I think the reason why this book will be successful is right here in this post: you and John are so personable, honest, and real, and it’s delightful being a part of your world everyday. Lots of hugs and happy thoughts to you and your family!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Kay.
xo
s
carla says
“…even a particularly vivid one about some fictitious magazine that somehow recreated every last one of our projects identically (same exact fabrics and colors!) and scooped us by publishing them before our book came out.”
Ummm, have you seen the November Country Living? They totally did that….
Only it was only 3 projects and they used your pictures and gave you/the book a plug, lol. Loved the bar cart.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah! Thanks Carla!
xo
s
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap says
Can’t wait to get my (pre-ordered!!) copy in the mail. I totally understand your jitters, but I’m sure the book is awesome and we all love your blog enough that we’re willing to pay a little dough for the book. Crossing my fingers for an Atlanta book signing! But if not then I may hop over to my in-laws’ house in Charlotte for a visit in Feb. :)
Congrats on the book! So, so excited for you guys!
Deb says
Hoping for Cali! Really, could I be any farther away (Southern CA) from where you will be? I pre-ordered your book awhile back…can’t wait to get my hands on it! So exciting!
Alexis says
honest to goodness…you two have. nothing. to. worry. about! i see that i’m one of the over 500 people telling you the same thing, but i know how this works – no matter how many people tell you “you’re awesome!”, the one voice that sticks in your head is the person saying “you suck” (<— boo to them!).
just another reminder that we all love you guys! don't let the naysayers get to you!
Jennifer says
Fingers crossed that y’all are able to come to Atlanta!!!
Liz Hernandez Nunez says
Dear Sherry and John, I have followed your blog from the beginning and I am SOOO HAPPY for you both that I am crying as I write this…seriously. I think you have remained authentic and consistent throughout these years and it is awesome that your hard work is being rewarded. I keep rooting for you guys and keeping my fingers crossed that LA will make the list! xoxo
YoungHouseLove says
Oh Liz, now you’re making me cry. You’re so so sweet and we love you guys for the support and the kind words you’re always sharing! Best readers ever!!!
xo
s
karen says
try not to burn yourselves out while on the tour. us readers…or more like fans will understand if you guys are super busy!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Karen! We just love Clara and the blog and meeting readers along the tour, so we’re hoping it’ll be a lot of juggling, but they’re all things we adore!
xo
s
Libby says
Please please please add a California date! San Francisco before or after Tacoma/Portland? Please? :)
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to!
xo
s
Fatime says
Congratulations, this is so exciting! As for being a bit scared – that just shows that you guys, besides of being very talented, are supplied with the right amount of good old-fashioned author’s responsibility as well – please be proud of that too :-)! Even though the web is wonderful in giving practically unlimited options for making contact with people and info, a book is still something “special” for me – I can hardly wait to get a copy online for my bday (your book’s and my bday will be one day apart lol, mine is 7th). Maybe the second book’s tour will be international, and I’ll get a chance to have my copy signed too! Take care – Fatime
YoungHouseLove says
That would be amazing!!
xo
s