Back when we did this post full of fun charts and graphs (concocted from the results of our 2012 reader survey) we learned that you guys are just as into infographics as I am. So in that spirit, I tabulated and illustrated a bunch of random facts and figures that we never want to forget from our recent book tour. Sort of like an info-scrapbook that encapsulates that crazy time in our lives (in under 100 words) so we can always look back on it. So without further ado, here are all the places we went, the adventures we had, and even the pounds that we put on along the way. Enjoy!
* Each of the infograhics above were made in photoshop and the fonts that we used are: Ostrich Sans (free) , Fyra (free), and The Only Exception (we donated).
Oh but one thing that we couldn’t quantify or illustrate was how many fun, kind, and wonderful people we met along the way. We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to come welcome us to their city. It really means a lot. You made this whole wacky adventure (and all of those hours spent sitting in cars, taxis, and planes) completely worth it and then some.
How do you guys travel? Do you keep track of any stats, like a count of how many countries or states you’ve visited? My mom has a goal of seeing every state capitol in the US (I think she’s over 70% there). What’s the longest flight you’ve ever enjoyed / suffered through? Ever wear the same Target blazer to 22 events? I know some people wouldn’t brag about that, but as a husband I can’t tell you how much I love my lady for it.
Psst- We picked this week’s giveaway winners. Click here to see if you’re one of them.
Lauren says
Go sherry for proudly rocking that blazer at every event! If it works, it works! And it definitely works… you go girl.
LauraC says
Love that you have Tacoma pinned on that map! I enjoy infographics too – Fun read! Happy Friday!
Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds says
Wow! That’s a lot of travel in a short amount of time. Might be cool to add in an infographic about the number of weeks or months this travel took place in because you guys managed to do all that so quickly. it would take me years to go to all those places! The keychain collection is very cool idea. I bet you guys will think of an awesome way to display those. We collect magnets from every place we’ve visited since we were married. Any book recommendations from everything you read? Mindy Kaling’s book and Gone Girl were both awesome! (Although I’m kind of disappointed about the ending to GG!)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, it was all over the course of 3.5 months!
xo
s
sarah says
man, i wish i could hide 8 lbs as well as john! :) love the infographics!
Jan says
Why did you delete my previous comment. I guess you only keep comments that compliment you and how great you guys are right? If you are real, then allow my comment to be posted. If you do not post my comment, I will make a blog and talk about how fake you guys really are.
YoungHouseLove says
No worries, we were just eating lunch. You can see the note on the comment form that says comments might take a little while to show up (as much as we’d love to squat comments all day and all night, we have posts to write, pics to take, projects to do, a toddler to wrangle, and meals to eat – haha!). Both of your comments are now up (your first one is right here). And if you check out nearly every post you can find a negative comment, so we definitely don’t take them out of the mix. Hope it helps :)
xo
s
appauled says
Jan,
Wow, Maybe you need anger management therapy and a life. Buzz off
Kathy says
Hope you have a better day tomorrow Jan.
appauled says
Kathy,
Your response was a better,kind one. I couldn’t find the kindness, in the snarkiness.
Nikki says
Wow, what a grump! If you don’t like this blog then kindly take your negativity elsewhere. I applaud you John and Sherry, I don’t know if i would have responded so calmly. Kuddos to ya’ll!
Alanna L says
I would love to see a photo of your “fake” book all filled with everyone’s signatures from your tour. Did all the pages get tagged?
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhh it’s awesome! Not only did it get all filled up, we thrilled three of them! It’s amazing! We think it’s over 11,000 signatures, drawings, and notes!
xo
s
Lisa says
I would also love to see pictures of especially awesome pages!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds fun! We’d love to share that!
xo
s
Ally says
LOVE the blazer graphic. Just brilliant. :)
Also LOVED seeing you guys in Ohio, your first stop.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Ally thanks so much for coming out! We had so much fun with you!
xo
s
Lisa says
Love this post! Very fun to see the summary in visual.
Katie G says
Love these, but I have to admit the Beyonce infographic is still my favorite :)
Also, just saw these posters for girls and thought you might like them!
http://www.myswitcheroo.com/products/posters-for-girls
YoungHouseLove says
Totally! Beyonce wins at life.
Oh my gosh and those posters are too cute! Love them.
xo
s
Amy O says
Have you guys thought about doing a post of all the fun goodies that fans gave you at the book signings? At the Atlanta one it looked like you guys were walking away with quite the stash. I would love to see all the different creative things the fans did!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually tried to work those things into each of the tour posts whenever we could, and sometimes things come up in other posts and on instagram and we call them out :)
xo
s
Sarah T says
Very cool stats! Like your mom, my hubby and I have a goal of visiting all the state capitals! We plan to save Hawaii and Alaska for high school grad presents for our 2 kids. So far we’ve made it to 10…and then got derailed by babies. :) We also buy magnets from every new city we visit and have them all on our ‘fridge! It’s a fun way to remember our trips as we’re working in the kitchen!
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
E @ These Peach Roses says
You read ROOM!!!! Amazing book.
YoungHouseLove says
So amazing!
xo
s
Ann says
My husband and I just got back from Costa Rica (amazing!) and I have no idea how many cab rides we took. Do you think that’s a type A personality kind of thing? or planned ahead of time to keep track of? I appreciate the sentiment of it all, but we just don’t keep tabs on those type of details.
YoungHouseLove says
Oddly enough John has a photographic-ish memory for things like that – so after we were done with all of our travel he went back over each place we went to and could remember “oh yeah we took a cab from the airport to the hotel and another one to the event” – so he was able to count it all that way (and confirm by looking at expense report receipts, because he’s a nerd like that- haha!).
xo
s
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
I love this! I travel a ton for work and have sure racked up the miles (I’m a United junkie). I hope you scored some ultra great miles and benefits from some of the reward programs out there!
I saw you read Gone Girl while traveling – did you like it? I’ve been seeing it everywhere and want to download it on my Kindle but have been trying to get through the Beautiful Creatures series (yes, I’m a 16 year old at heart).
Some of my go-to traveling quirks:
-Must wear socks and they must match: for going through security.
-Must have on my ultra comfy black Banana Republic sweatpants, especially for long flights to the West Coast. I don’t care what day or time of day it is – the sweat pants are ON!
-The air NEEDS to be on my face or it will be vomit city during landing and take off.
-Must must must have the window seat – I feel like I can control the plane by being able to see outside.
-Headphones! To watch movies on long flights and to drown out the snorers and crying babies.
I also usually take 1 carry-on that I always get harassed about because the flight attendants always tell me that it won’t fit in the overhead but it ALWAYS does. BOOM!
YoungHouseLove says
haha, love all the must-haves. And as for Gone Girl, we both really liked it. Very dark and haunting so we still talk about it months later. There are some great unpredictable twists.
xo
s
Jessica says
1. I LOVE random facts, and infographics. Great job!
2. Which cities did you not get key chains in? You said 20 cities (22 events) but only 16 key chains? Just curious. :)
3. Thank you for everything! You guys are just plain awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
Mostly it was the ones where we never went to an airport for. So Richmond, DC, Atlanta and Charlotte I believe were the ones that are keychain-less. Well, I guess we were at the Richmond airport a lot but never thought to get a keychain for our home town!
-John
YoungHouseLove says
Correction! I just realized we did get an Atlanta keychain (we thought of when we were on a connecting flight through that airport). We didn’t get one in NJ or CT because we drove there too. So that’s actually 5 places we didn’t get them, but somehow ended up with 2 from Boston. Go figure!
-John
jessica says
can’t see what all the books you read were. any good recs?
Thanks! love the graphics!
YoungHouseLove says
We both loved Gone Girl and Room a lot. Both were very dark and haunting, but we’re still talking about them months later! And the Mindy Kaling book was hilarious!
xo
s
cc says
Nice way to sum up your adventures! We have a map covered in pins too, those yours looks much cleaner– hubby and I just had too many separate travels before we got married, and the same for (mostly) business reasons since, so every member of the family has their own pin color, making things a lot busier-looking. We set a goal not long ago (in our late thirties) to see 50 states by age 50. Both of us are over halfway there, and our young son isn’t doing too badly, either!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo
s
Alison says
Random note but did you guys see you’re in Real Simple this month. Page 44!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahh, we can’t wait to see it! Ours hasn’t come yet, but we might have to break down and buy it on the news stand, just to see it! Haha!
xo
s
Megan says
Ohhh, what were you two up to in Iowa?
A post on recommend books or a book list would be fun in the future! If you haven’t done so already.
YoungHouseLove says
My best friend’s family lives there, so I brought John out there to meet them all before we got married. They’re like my extended family so I needed their approval. Haha!
xo
s
BornInaZoo says
My longest airplane trip was Marquette > Milwaukee > Detroit > New York > Dublin … 35 hours. It was mostly waiting in airports and an unexpected overnight stay in Detroit. With the exception of the 8 hour flight overseas, most of the legs were between 30-90 minutes.
YoungHouseLove says
Woah!
xo
s
Susan K says
Loved your post today, so fun to see it all spelled out. It was so fun meeting you two in Tacoma and hearing your talk. I think my sister and I are the only two people in the universe that did not like Gone Girl!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Susan! It was so great to meet you! And John’s sister hated how it ended so I bet there are others out there ;)
xo
s
Lauren says
My country list is pretty small, but I’ve been to some awesome places. Italy and Scotland were definitely my favorites. And I carry-on all of my bags (all one or two of them!) for at least the first leg of international flights. On the way back the empty duffel we folded in our bag can be our place to stash souvenirs and any extras we brought home. (Since international trips can have the first checked bag free on many airlines.) Also, I get much less freaked out if the airline were to misplace a checked bag full of dirty laundry on my way home than arriving in a foreign country! For the future, I’d like to be like my grandparents. They’ve visited every one of the 50 states and have at least 4 continents under their belt!
Julie says
I loved this since I’m in the process of creating my own photo book & guidebook from a 17 country year-long round the world trip. I had to laugh on the blazer graphic because I just included a similar stat in my book that instead says “7 pairs of underwear.” I hestitate, however, to add up how many hours I was in a transit status during my year.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny!
xo
s
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
When I met my husband and kinda knew he was The Dude for me I couldn’t wait to travel with him after he locked it down and put a ring on it. Fast forward 8 years and now we have pretty much uttered at one time or another everyday for the past month “WE NEED A VACATION!” March 9th was our 1 year house anniversary and we said we wouldn’t travel for the year while we settled in, so now all bets are off. Our tradition is I buy him a t-shirt from each state we stay in. He has about 3 state shirts now, but it’s definitely time to expand it. I love your infograph. It will be amazing when you’re old and gray and look back at this and tell Clara “See what mommy and daddy did when we both had our original hips?”
My best, Lynn
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Lynn! That’s so sweet.
xo
s
Elizabeth says
Yes I love keeping track of stats (you should see my childhood/teenhood diaries, they are full of stats about life). Some of my favorite travel stats are in this post:
http://buildingsomethinggood.blogspot.com/2011/09/numbering-weekend.html
YoungHouseLove says
Such a fun countdown!
-John
Abby K says
Great post! Ok out of curiosity I have to ask…How many ceramic animals did you guys get as gifts? It seems like someone gave you one at every stop!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, probably at least 20! We should have counted!
xo
s
Amanda says
I loved this post. Like you John, I’m a huge fan of typography and photos so it makes my heart pitter patter!
But I have a question … only 3 pieces of luggage? Did you and Sherry share?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we both shared the rolley one, the backpack had our computer and signing supplies (sharpies, guest book, etc) and my purse had the camera and my iphone for blogging on the go :)
xo
s
Laura says
Texas needs to be a LOT bigger on that state graphic! Just sayin’, y’all. :)
Susan says
Longest flight=Dallas to Melbourne/Sydney Australia.
Four times!
I ? Oz, and lived there for a while-such an amazing place.
That blazer, though…I’m just not a fan. You are young and cute and there are SO many professional looks out there that would fit your personality-mix it up a bit!
Allison says
Longest flight: North Carolina to Chicago, Chicago to Tokyo, Tokyo to Hong Kong
18 hrs total, I think, with 12 being the longest leg. On one of them, there was a lot of turbulence and I had to use the complementary barf bag and buzz the Japanese flight attendant who didn’t speak English.
YoungHouseLove says
Woah, that’s a lot of flying!
xo
s
Carrie says
I can’t believe you did all that traveling with just 3 bags!! I would love to know how you managed to pack like a minimalist. That would be a super awesome off topic post, please consider it :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Will do!
xo
s
Kara says
I am an international flight attendant. I have a huge laminated map in a frame in the hall way next to my bedroom. With pins marked for every city and or country I have been to. I do similar to you guys. Worst flight ever, was a working one for me. a 15 hour day turned into a 32 hour one. The FAA fine print includes weather day as totally legal. Imagine sleeping and showering in an airplane with a bottle of water and paper towels all because of a sandstorm. Not fun! Great way to document your tour! I wish I could have met you guys.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow. You are a trooper!
-John
Tracy says
I stopped counting how many states I’ve been to when I got to 50!
Diana says
Impressive!! I have 2 to go…
Jillian says
Come to Las Vegas!!!
Andrea says
My longest flight – BOS to LHR to SIN. Pretty much the furthest you can go in the world (exact opposite sides of the world)! In fact the longest nonstop flight in the world is Newark to Singapore, but Singapore Airlines is stopping that flight soon.
Donita says
Great post guys!! I love the keychain collection, and that you send post cards to Granny. That is just precious!!
My longest, FIRST AND LAST flight, was at the age of 50. The stewardess gave me a FIRST TIME FLIER packet. LOL I got WINGS!!! It was HORRIBLE. I’m afraid of heights and hubby kept wanting me to look out the window, NOT!!! A little gal sitting next to me, kept telling me what all the noises, jerks and bumps were. She kept me talking, when we landed. When we HIT the ground, I thought we had hit a building. The worst part, I’m horrified of water too………well large bodies of water, and we landed in Oakland California. The airport is right on the water. THEN we went on a 7 day cruise. I can honestly say, MY LAST FLIGHT AND MY LAST CRUISE. LOL I love being on dry ground. LOL
Catherine says
14.5 hours San Francisco to Sydney with a 5 year old and 18 month old but we are having an amazing time visiting with Nana so it was worth it! Also, saw your book at a little book shop on Cronulla Beach, NSW!
Melissa van Herksen says
When are you coming to South America…waiting for you in Chile. Lets see we haves lived on three continents in 7 years and visited many countries. I try to collect Christmas ornaments from every place we visit. Makes decorating the Christmas tree vey fun and helping my little ones remember our adventures. My 3 and 6 yr old have also lived in all those places and traveled everywhere wih us. My longest trip was a 40 hour trip from Mozambique to Miami 7 months pregnant with a 2.5 yr old (I was flying alone). By now i have many long flights under my belt with little ones and the main thing that keeps you going is that you know at one point it will be over.
ashlea says
Can you share with us what books you read? I need some recommendations!
YoungHouseLove says
Sure, lots of folks have asked for a little write up, so maybe we’ll work one in!
xo
s
Karen F says
I love this! Cute idea :)
I’m so happy/thankful that you came to Ridgewood and I got to meet you both – despite the hurricane and all that came with it! Thanks for making the trip! Love you guys! (in a non-creepy way) Congrats on completing the tour, and on all your success – you deserve it!
Carrie says
black tipped socks + black scale + quick glance = wicked weird john toes :)
Sam says
I found this when I woke up this morning and thought you’d enjoy- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8wfWO06yp8&sns=em – thy end with two of your favorites, Sherry! Enjoy the weekend :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, so funny!! Picture me singing along the entire time and wishing I was up there with them. Ha!
xo
s
vegiebug says
How long were you on tour to read 17 books?! That’s pretty impressive! Also, just 1 Target blazer – that’s pretty dang amazing! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks! We were traveling on and off for around 3.5 months.
xo
s
Amanda says
I just have to say I love you guys and your blog. Thanks for being so kind, considerate, cool, funny, talented, awesome people and putting yourselves out there in the blog-o-shpere (if that’s a thing?) I thoroughly appreciate reading what you write just as much as all of your cool inspiring projects. Just wanted to say thanks!
Amanda
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Amanda, that’s so sweet of you to say.
xo
s
Alison Newberry says
I love all of the infographics you created with Photoshop. Thank you for sharing the names of the fonts you used. I was curious about where you got some of the graphics like the state cut-outs and maps. Would you ever consider doing a post about how you create your infographics?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Alison! Those are just made in photoshop (we googled for outlines or images of each state, brought them into photoshop, and traced over them with the line tool and filled them with paint in the color we wanted). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Kath says
LOVE infographics : ) : )
Diana says
I like your tastes in books! I’ve read a few of the same and have another on hold at the library!
Ronda says
Wow that is crazy when it’s summed up like that! You both are definitely dedicated and hard workers. I may not always absolutely love your design decisions (although I respect them), but I love this site because you both are so great to your fans, and do not write sponsored posts or take free items. I love that you “keep it real” :) Ok back to lurking!
Kirsten Oliphant says
The gangnam style frozen screens cracks me up! Also, I saw room on your list. Did it make you think about your cork floors? I think that I wrote a comment about the fact that when you were doing your floors, I had been reading that book, and though I’m sure it was NOT the same kind of cork floor, it FREAKED ME OUT.
Oh, and Texas thinks it should be a little bigger in the states infographic. Maybe, like, have all the other state shapes inside of one big Texas, maybe? :)
Kirsten Oliphant says
*Room on your book list. Sorry. You may have just figured that out.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, oh man, now I get hat cork comment you made. Thankfully I pictured that as really blonde and worn down, so our glossy dark stuff doesn’t bring up any weird feelings :)
xo
s