Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Blogiversary 6: You Asked, We Answered

Get ready to cringe! It’s time for our annual (and always amazingly awkward) Q&A video. Just like in past blogiversary weeks, we invited you guys to ask us some personal (i.e. non-decorating) questions over on our Facebook page last week. And after over 150 questions came rolling in, we sat down and answered as many as we could while Clara napped one afternoon – and then culled it down into this 20 minute video. Among all of our mind-blowing, no-holds-barred revelations (note the sensationalism) you’ll learn:

  • If we’d ever let readers vote on the decorating choices we make
  • What blog post we regret writing
  • Our thoughts on snarky message boards
  • If we ever think about reversing our no-swag policy
  • If we won the lottery, what we’d change about our lives
  • What our neighbors think of the blog
  • If we regret choosing our blog name
  • What ceramic animal I’d save if our house was under a zombie attack
  • How we keep the blog from consuming our lives
  • If our marriage is perfect (spoiler alert: nope!)
  • Why I’ll probably never cut my hair super short again
  • If I still own just one bra
  • THE MUCH ANTICIPATED POSSUM-IN-THE-BASEMENT STORY!!!

So now that you’re most likely on the edge of your seat (… or not) here goes nothing:

So there you have it, another year of us blathering on about personal stuff and mythical horse sized ducks and mysterious mammals in our crawl space. Did anything surprise you? Or spark another question in your brain? We can’t promise we can answer every one of them in the comments here, but feel free to ask away as potential future fodder for next year…

Psst- Want more awkward? Here are the Q&A posts for 2012, 2011, 2010 & 2009: Part 1 + Part 2.

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Oh but before we go, let’s talk about you guys for a second. Each year we love finding out who the heck you guys are, and then on Friday John can make a nerd-tastic infographic all about it (last year’s had Beyonce in it, so it might be hard to top that).

Comments

  2. hybrik says

    The last question on your form FINALLY asnwered my year long interrogation of everybody I know about “who the hell is singning that damn song that goes nan-nan-nan-nan loosing my religion…” that I had ever since hearing a band of guy who sings gregorian-chants-cover-songs on youtube. For that… THANK YOU 10000X TIMES !

    Reply

  3. Caity says

    I’m so excited to finally take part in a blogiversary poll! I started reading less than a year ago and I loved the blog so much that I read through ALL of the archives. I loved being able to see your story unfold. Keep up the great work!

    Reply

  6. Jen says

    Been reading since you guys came out with the book; but this is the first time I’ve watched your movies (due to constant distractions from work, babies and toddlers requesting Dora/food/iPad time). Love you all!

    Reply

  7. liz @ btb says

    I just had a thought about the question on if you ever let readers vote on the decorating choices you make. Didn’t y’all take a(n unofficial) pole on what color to pain that tiny bookcase that was in the front room of your first house?

    Or am I crazy?

    Reply

  10. Jessica says

    I love you guys! You are so genuine and I really appreciate you letting all of us into your lives! I’m sorry for how rude and negative people can be on the internet. It offends me and they aren’t even talking about me. I can’t imagine how hard it is to respond with kindness, but you do. :) There are way more of us who love you exactly as you are, so keep it up! I’ve been following you for 5 years and you are still my favorites!

    Reply

  13. Blair says

    OMG…I just declared Cherry Garcia ice-cream my favorite today! I couldn’t believe I had never tried it before now. So good!

    Reply

  15. Megan says

    I just posted a comment on the wrong post but I MEANT to post it here. Sorry about that… THIS is such a cute post. I loved the video Q&A’s! You guys are great. Keep being your awesome selves. (PS: I’m sure the time chart post was good too but I confess that I didn’t read it and If I had I’d probably have chosen a different adjective than “cute” to describe it.) :)

    Reply

  16. pamela says

    Okay, I’m one of the 50 somethings in the poll… I know not many of us out there. :( Just wanted to say I am so very refreshed by “youngsters” making a difference in the world in a positive way. You two have it “going on” and I enjoy reading every blog entry. I hope you continue on this journey for a long, long time. Thanks for being YOU!

    Reply

  17. Emily says

    Thank you so much for posting this wonderful, happy video of you two! It is so weird how I feel like I have known you for years (been following since I got that Nest magazine back in ’09), yet we have never met! You are a wonderful couple. Even though I disagree with some of the decorating decisions (not that they’re bad at all! I just have different tastes/grew up the daughter of an antiques store owner. But your house works for you, and that’s what matters!), I am completely in love with your site and addicted to your presentation. Wishing you a happy year #7, your favorite number. Love and admiration from Burke, VA! xxx

    Reply

  18. Jenee says

    You guys are so amazing. Loved the videos. You always brighten my day with your jokes and all-around awesomeness. Thanks for doing what you do.

    Reply

  19. Erin says

    Sherry, if you are really interested in painting/drawing/watercoloring, VMFA offers great classes! You should check them out

    Reply

  21. Brenda says

    So I was watching the videos while eating dinner, and I definitely did a spit take on the zombie/rhino Q&A. It’s so much fun to see both of you interact and banter, because your sense of humor really shines in a way that’s not the same in your text posts (although you’re also witty and funny there, too). So glad you included Clara. Loved the ending with Burger. :)

    Reply

  22. Chrysalis says

    I love you guys. I mean, I EFFING love you guys. I don’t even do DIY. I mean, I’m so bad at it that I can’t even make my bed consistently. But I read your blog because I think you guys are so nice. And normal. And relatable. Happy Blogiversary!

    Reply

  25. Jess says

    I’m probably about the millionth person to say this but… Sherry, your makeup looks amazing! And Clara just couldn’t be any sweeter. What’s your favorite place to be… The bookstore! So precious. Congrats on six fab years of blogging!

    Reply

  26. Kari says

    You guys are seriously the most adorable! I’ve been reading your blog for four years and I have your book and I’m such a fan girl.

    Reply

  28. Rach says

    Love love love that you included “Van by the river” cause actually we do live there here in sunny Queensland!… I got into your blog when we were decorating our van and shed set up two years ago. About to move into our first house next week and have gotten so much inspiration off you and cant wait to purchase my first ceramic animals!

    Reply

  29. Erica says

    I’m very surprised nobody asked if there was a bun in the oven, since that seems to be the thing to ask! (By the way, I’m not asking! I am just surprised! Unless someone asked and you politely ignored that question.)

    The opossum story was hilarious! I’m glad he left on his own though! I had one on my side porch once- I was so scared, I backed up and closed the door! Ugh!

    I loved the Clara video. Too cute. She’s just so cute and funny! And the ending with Burger made me laugh out loud!

    Reply

  30. Lydia K says

    No way, you say PETER-sik?! I could have SWORN it was Pa-TER-sik. Crazy. I too have a crazy last name. Kuekes. (Kee-Kiss – the u is silent.) Loved the Oprah piece – you guys are such an inspiration. Oh and “are you a barky dog?” at the end of video #2 just made my day.

    Reply

  31. Juliana says

    Honestly, I never realized how much Clara looks like Sherry until I saw this vid! You’re both soo beautiful!!

    Anyway, love your blog!!
    Greetings from Rio de Janeiro ;)

    Reply

  33. Valerie says

    These videos never disappoint! I’m glad I hadn’t checked the blog until all 3 littles were asleep…otherwise it would have been like a moth to a flame all day long until I could steal away to watch it. Keep up the great work! I’m itching to see how awesome the show house is going to be. :)

    Reply

  34. Jaclyn P says

    I am soooo excited my question was featured! I actually remember when you went through the name change. I think I started reading your blog 6 months into it. I stumbled upon it somehow and have been following ever since. My husband knows you as “the home bloggers”. Funnily enough, any time we start a new home project, I consult YHL and he consults “those other guys”!

    Reply

  35. Jennie says

    Loved watching the video today, you guys! I have been reading for what feels like forever (five years, I think?) but I never get tired of you. Thanks for all the great content over the years, and here’s to many more years! I love Blogiversary week :)

    Reply

  36. Bethany says

    Horrible day on the Bethany front (I must have put on my “please cut me off in traffic, yell at me at work, and try to scam me out of my money” sandwich board this morningand not realized it… hate when that happens #humpdayisoverrated #IdontcarewhatJTsaysI’llhashtagallIwant). Imagine my elation at coming home, watching this adorable video, AND seeing my question pop up at the end. Thanks Youngsters- you definitely redeemed this day :)

    Also- Pillow!Backpack!Table! Should totally become the new name of YoungHouseLife. Just saying :) (hashtag- WINNING)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh no! That’s the first we’ve heard. Anyone else having an issue? Maybe clicking the blue link in the text that says “here goes nothing” to go watch it directly on YouTube.com will work?

      xo
      s

  39. Jill says

    Loved the video, you guys are so natural and charming.. I wish you were nearer so I could meet (or stalk) you! (No chance of you coming to Asia anytime soon? ;)

    Reply

  40. Jessica says

    Q&A working well on my iPad!

    (And I know it’s the theme of the day, but you two really are amazing. I work long hours as a resident physician, don’t own my own home or have kids, and have never DIY’ed anything. However, even if I’m reading it on call from the hospital, your blog is one of the highlights of my day. Thank you for sharing your lives the way you do. I am deeply grateful to you.)

    Reply

  41. Robyn says

    I was just coming here to suggest you guys do some periodic vlogs, I know you guys do videos from time to time but something where we just see you, kwim? I feel like that was borderline stalkerish. On my way down to comment I saw the hearing impaired comments so maybe it’s not feasible. As someone who maybe has not been as excited to read as I have been in the past I loooooved watching you guys today. It reminds me you’re humans (real cool ones) and not machines and I want to read cause you’re awesome human beings and cut you some slack when your posts don’t necessarily relate to me or something I want to do. Anyway, just my two cents. Also Sherry, you looked like a knock out in the video.

    Reply

  44. Koliti says

    Dang! How freakin’ cute are you guys??!

    Sherry, it’s amusing how far you sit in front of John in the first half of the video. Is that so he’s out of range when you talk with your hands/arms? He could wrap himself in bubble-wrap and sit closer :) (We could count how many you pop!)

    I love how your VERY happy souls just shine through and the comedic timing is priceless.

    John, I’ve noticed in the comment section how very gallant you are and how proud you are to stand by your lady love’s side. You do not have to go to a “snarky” website because unfortunately the occasional snark comes and leaves you a comment. And you both handle these comments with such grace. While you both profess to not have the “perfect” marriage – you have everything you perfectly need.

    And Sherry, PLEASE paint! A once a month “Paint with Sherry” post would brighten my day Love ya!!!

    Reply

  45. Sloane says

    I just read the comment about how you say people say you look like Emilia Clarke and I didn’t know who that was until you mentioned dragons and boom, GOT sprung into my mind and you totally DO look like her!!! Crayzay.

    Reply

  46. Jackie says

    Hey Sherri, I would love if you would consider doing an eye makeup tutorial for your makeup in the video. That wouldn’t be that far out there since you did show us how you cut Jon’s hair.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh man, it takes me like two seconds, but it’s definitely not perfect. Just brown shadow on my whole lid, eyeliner as close to my lashes as I can get it, and highlighter (white) shadow under my eyebrow. I wonder if I can make a quick video for Young House Life or something (since it’s not really as involved as a haircut).

      xo
      s

  47. Laura says

    Hi guys!
    Quick question and nothing to do with house renovations: I teach freshmen English and we make video compositions each semester. What video program do you use? I’m admiring the outcome and wonder if it is one I can point my kiddos toward. Right now we’re big on iMovie.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Laura! For years we used iMovie but for a book promo video that we had to make we needed to buy Final Cut Pro so now we use that. It’s pretty similar (except not nearly free! Haha!) and it gives us a little more control over things like typefaces and text and layering sound.

      xo
      s

  50. Lara says

    I love your blog and have used it as a reference for many of my own projects. I’m pretty sure my husband is sick of me saying “Well, at YoungHouseLove they said to use this product”. But, recently he just listens and goes with it. I have to say I love Clara’s name because it’s really my name without the C and you just don’t hear that very often. And seeing Clara suck her thumb in her Q&A just melted my heart. I have 2 daughters (they are a wonderful 14 and 11 right now) and they both sucked their thumbs and I personally think there’s nothing cuter. Keep up the good work guys!! Lara

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw, you’re so sweet! The funny thing is we loved the name Lara too, so that was on the list for her, but Clara was John’s grandma’s name so we went with the family name. The other funny thing is that my favorite boy’s name since childhood has been Clark and we realized that’s basically the same name as Clara (one letter different at the end). It’s kinda weird what names you like, and how they relate to each other!

      xo
      s

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