Update: Yeesh, sorry about that oddly reoccurring Amazon/B&N.com “out of stock” message. To everyone who’s contacting us about getting our book (thank you!), you can order a signed copy here (they can ship it right to your door) or you can try calling/visiting a Barnes & Noble in your area (we hear they’re easier to find in stores at the moment).
Happy Friday y’all. Now that we’ve checked off a bunch of projects this week (decorating our tree, framing our bathroom mirror, and ORBing our hardware) along with a craftsman house crash, a DIY link-fest, and a look back at a bunch of mistakes we’ve made, we thought we’d take a moment to look back at November in our regular monthly wrap-up before we’re inexcusably late like we were last month. This little moment of looking back keeps momentum and morale nice and high, so we’re inspired to keep checking things off the list instead of feeling like we’re hamsters running on a wheel-to-nowhere (so to anyone who wonders how we’ve done this for five straight years, stopping to appreciate what you’ve accomplished is definitely key). Insert random photo of Sherry in love with a life-sized ram here:
And this month was especially crazy! We found ourselves traveling 14 of its 30 days for book tour events, so we’re pretty proud to have somehow still snuck in a near complete hall bathroom upgrade, a buffet update, a new kitchen window shade, some nice basement progress, and a few random fall-themed decorating projects. Not to mention that we got to unleash four House Crashing posts on you. And if you’d like to journey further back into 2012 (or even peek all the way back through 2011) you can see 22 other recaps right here (which is a lot easier to peruse than clicking though over 740 individual posts). Oh yeah, and we’ve also snuck in a clue about Monday’s giveaway at the bottom for ya. And it’s one that anyone in the entire globe can enter… so… rock on. Or should I say ram on?
Most Likely To Be A Used Car Stuff Salesman: Both of us, after we realized how much stuff we actually sell on Craigslist (the items below are just the tip of the iceberg). That’s why we finally wrote a post with all of our tips for both selling and buying on the ol’ CL.
Freshest Face: The touch up job on our still-rustic-but-not-as-beat-up living room buffet, which Sherry refreshed with some carefully color-matched paint that we followed with a few coats of polyurethane to seal and protect it.
Most Inspiring: Nate’s garage workshop was the kick in the pants I needed to start work on my own basement. So I’m forever grateful that he and Michelle invited us to crash their Northern Virginia home.
Most Secretive: This boxy floating shelf that we constructed to hide the secret tile eyesore that was leftover after Sherry unsuccessfully busted out a soap dish built into our hall bathroom. Woops.
Juiciest: This behind-the-scenes post that gives you page-by-page tidbits about what chaos transpired to get the shots in our book. We were ridiculously psyched to finally be able to tell some of the stories we’ve been sitting on since January.
Most Mouth-Watering: These pretzels, which Sherry was actually using to prop up the acorns that were drying for one of her little fall projects (which ended up getting a smidge moldy). Next time we try acorn art we’ll be sure to slowly heat them in the oven as many of you suggested to dry them out. You guys are smart.
Most Welcoming: Rich and Jessie, who not only invited us to crash their home when we were in Cincinnati for our book tour – but even picked us up from our hotel (after waiting an extra hour or so due to a flight delay). Talk about gracious hosts… with a beautiful home to boot.
Most Granny Chic: Our hall bathroom, which we painted a purplish-gray thanks to being inspired by the muted lavender color that we chose for my Granny’s bathroom makeover back in September.
Most Likely To End Up On The Weather Channel: Any of the cities on the New England leg of our book tour. Between the Sandy aftermath in our Connecticut and New Jersey stops followed by the Nor’easter-induced snowstorm in Boston, it was quite a weather-filled start to a travel-riddled month. We’re still sending love to everyone effected by Sandy – including many of Sherry’s friends and relatives.
Most Faux Real: The faux roman shade Sherry created for our kitchen using around a yard of fabric, a scrap piece of wood, some iron-on tape and a whole bunch of pins. It ended up being the first of two quickie window treatments that she made this month.
Most Fishy: This sailfish that Lesley & Jeff are sporting in their guest room. And it’s just one of the many memorable items that we discovered upon crashing their eclectic Richmond home.
Most Non-Sensical: The middle, according to this post where we reassured everyone that there’s often that point during a project or a room makeover where your vision hasn’t quite clicked yet (like this mid-point of our office makeover). But persevering and pushing on can often get you over the hump to something that makes beautiful, beautiful sense.
Most Chaotic: Our “playroom” – even after a good cleaning and purging of items from book photoshoots. This room probably won’t look “put together” until we paint over the random colors (and stenciled patterns!) that we put up for our book. And actually figure out basic things… like a functional furniture arrangement.
Most Likely To Open A Paint Store: Definitely us, especially after tidying up our paint collection as part of my basement organization effort. But in an attempt to make a dent in what we accrued thanks to book photoshoots…
… I reused one of the colors to paint the pegboards in that room.
Moose-iest: What? Your high school didn’t have a “moose-iest” award? If it did, it’d probably go to these guys that we met during our Canadian stop of the book tour. We covered more about the moose-fest as part of our tour recap of Richmond, Chicago and Toronto.
Quickest Upgrade: The new Hobby Lobby knobs that we added to our hall bathroom, which took about 0.00 minutes (I may be exaggerating) to install.
Frosting the window in that room (also covered in that post) took a bit longer, but was still totally worth it.
Most Unused: We did this post about finally crossing that line and joining the ranks of people with TVs in their bedroom thanks to our leftover living room television. However, we’ve yet to actually hook it up to anything so it has still never been used in there. Oh, and the poll we took on Facebook was incredibly close (the “No bedroom TV” folks took the lead by a tiny margin over the “pro bedroom TV” people). It was lots of fun to hear everyone’s bedroom TV opinions.
Most Heartwarming: This sweet post that Sherry wrote about me for my birthday last month. I believe my favorite comment on it was Kay’s: “Great. Now I’m in love with John.” (And to be fair, Tracie later said something quite similar).
Most Cringeworthy: Adapting our annual thanks jar tradition to our chalkboard, which made me put aside my aversion to the sound of chalk on a chalkboard. But you guys gave me some tips in the comments for my next attempt at chalk art. Update: I tried dipping chalk in water before writing and it does seem to help.
Shadiest: This 15-minute window shade that Sherry whipped up for our hall bathroom out of some bright and bean-tastic ikat fabric. It may just be our favorite thing in the whole room.
Most Serendipitous: Realizing that our 5″x5″ Instagram prints fit nearly perfectly in a CD jewel case, which allowed me to put together this super cheap photo display in my basement workshop that’s virtually sawdust-proof.
Most Insightful: You guys, since you all chimed in with lots of other great suggestions back when we shared our tips for what to look for (and look past) when house hunting.
Most Cheerful: Lesli, whose Charlottesville-area farmhouse we crashed last month. Like us, you guys seemed to enjoy her bright, casual, and colorful decor – which included many of her very own paintings.
Most Potential: Our sunroom, which we were just starting to think about at the end of November. It was nice just to get it cleaned up a bit – but now that we’ve stuck our toe in the water we’re ready to dive in. Update: In fact some painting might already be in progress (pics to come on Monday!).
Most Entertaining: Um, you guys! The comments on this random-fact filled post are just about the best laughs we’ve had in a while. Ok, ever. I seriously recommend a breeze through at least a page or two of the now 1000+ comments. You guys are hilarious. And all need your own talk shows.
Most Artistic: The husband who drew this Beavis-ified portrait of his wife based on a tip in our book, which we admitted could go terribly wrong, but just might be hilarious. She showed it off at our Houston book tour stop and we all got a good laugh. And that laughter continued when we shared it as part of our recap of our tour stops in Minneapolis, Houston, and Dallas.
Most Iconic: The images below, which each represent a word that might help you decode the prize for this Monday’s giveaway – which, by the way, is available to anyone in the whole wide world!
How did November look for you? Did you knock out a lot of travel for work or for play? Did you get any major projects completed? Or did you just enjoy those last few weeks before holiday craziness kicked in?
Okay, I’m going to admit it — while looking at the picture for the giveaway I was sitting here trying to figure out what LETTERS they spell…… ((Hanging head in shame)). I had a D S I O and C… but couldn’t figure it out. Disco?? That was all I could get out of it. Apparently I need to just not attempt guessing.
On a different note, I the only thing I’m good at using a sewing machine for is loaning it to my mom when she needs it. :-)
Hahahahaha, I love it! Totally something I’d do!
xo
s
Yes, I love to sew!! and a new machine would be fun!!
I certainly got some travel under my belt for the month of November driving across the border to meet you guys and some furniture refinishing! Thanksgiving was a riot as it was the last possible day here that was going to be warm enough to spray paint – I was a spray painting fiend. Oranges! Purples! Silver! ORB! *maniacal laughter* My poor lawn. I didn’t protect it well enough from all the paint mists. But it’ll be ok, the snow will take care of it.
is it weird that I knew that sherry with goat was in anthropology by the rabbit picture behind her?
I once asked if I could take a photo of this huge ostrich made of paper in their store– and they said no! My sister thought that was weird because they had it on their web page etc and it was not like I was going to steal the idea and sell life sized paper ostriches on etsy!
Weird!!
xo
s
Oh Men. Mariah and needles and robots!!!!! I’m so excited. A giveaway for me too, in Portugal, while I wait for my Santa’s this year (YHL book). Oh my….. By the way boooooo for amazon.
xxx
i
Singing needle bot! Always wanted one of those ;)
My friend has been telling me about your blog, she follows it regularly. Had to come and see what all the good feedback she gave was about. Some cool things y’all are doing. Love your FAQ page. Anywho… does one get entered in your give away if one gets the silhouette graphic?
I got it even before reading all the comments.(I’m bright like that lol)
I sure could use a Singer Sewing Machine… my old one died making collars for my dog. )o:
Keep up the great blogging.
Aw thanks Mary B! The official giveaway won’t be launched until Monday afternoon, but there will be instructions on how to enter it then (it’s just a simple comment). Hope it helps!
xo
s
You guys had such a busy, crazy month! Thanks so much for keeping all of us posted in the meantime! I get giddy every time I get on here and see your updates! You guys rock! *internet half hug* for all your hard work! Only a half hug…. Don’t wanna get awkward…haha!
Haha, thanks Erin! Oh what the heck, let’s bring it in for the whole hug…
xo
s
Did I miss you guys coming to NYC?I hope not cuz I lurve you guys, lol!
We’re still waiting for it to be finalized (no one really tours in Dec due to the holidays, so stores would rather host you in January). We’ll keep you guys posted for sure!
xo
s
I’m sure this is a big blessing for you guys – it gives you a chance to just breathe at home after your crazy November… and also, you don’t miss out on any friends-and/or-family holiday parties! Priorities, dude. :)
Yes, it’s nice to be with the family and sleep in our own bed :)
xo
s
I wanted to say that I ordered and got my book from Amazon with no problem. I didn’t know about there being a backlog but I got mine and you guys did good! Love your blog!
Aw thanks Tracye! This new warning has come up that it’s either out of stock or delayed by two months for the past week and it shows no signs of going away, yet many folks who brave it and order get it really soon! Who knows how it works? Haha!
xo
s
Hoorah! A Singer Sewing Machine! It took me a few minutes of sounding things out like, “rocker.. sewing.. robot??? Nope. Singing.. pin.. robot?? Nope. Singer.. sewing.. machine!” Hoorah!
What a great month it’s been!
the photos in the cd cases are genius. sheer genius. i’m doing that!!
it amazes me how much you guys can get done in a month – we’re going to be selling our house early(ish)next year and we have a MASSIVE to-do list, but… i just can’t be bothered. (and of course, we’ll have another massive to-do list when we move into our new house)
we *did* manage to get the reticulation fixed last weekend – we haven’t watered our garden in a couple of years, so it was a big job, but at least i can cross it off my list! hooray! (our garden philosophy is if it lives, it stays. if it dies, it deserved it. this is also why we don’t have pets.)
yeah, yeah, I want a new sewing machine….but what I REALLY want is Katie Bower to do her final review on that kitchen tile….she’s certainly taking her good old time on the reveal!
Mmm, it’s good. I promise it’s worth the wait!
xo
s
So nothing to do with this entry but thought you guys would appreciate. My husband and I are trying to change cable wires under our floor and he is downstairs and I am up and I said “can you see it? Do you want me to stick my finger in the hole” so he was like “That’s what she said” so after a million more questions from me and responses from him with that, I told him (threw a hole in the floor) that he was really immature. To which he replied “Your face!” Why are we 12? lol
Hahahha!
xo
s
Still can’t get over that FISH in Lesley’s house!!! Like, damn!
Your book was listed as a great book to give as a Christmas present in this morning’s Arizona Republic newspaper!
Wahoo! That’s so exciting!
xo
s
Just an fyi…there is a nice little write up about you guys in the Arizona Republic newspaper, about great books to give as gifts. You guys are doing awesome!
SO cool! Thanks for the heads up!
xo
s
Here’s the linky: http://www.azcentral.com/home/articles/20121130decor-books-great-holiday-gifts.html
Aw, that’s so sweet! Thanks for the link!
xo
s
We drove up to Richmond to get a signed copy of the book and unfortunately fountain bookstore was out! Just wanted to update you, thanks!
So sorry, I think they have a new shipment coming on Monday! Also, maybe try Barnes & Noble (any bookstores seem to have a few copies, maybe call before you drive over to be sure?).
xo
s
John and Sherry, I asked my library to purchase your book, adn I got it today!! I looked through it already and LOVE it! You guys rock! I am heading to Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, and Target now to see what inspires me!
Aw, we’re so glad! That’s awesome!
xo
s
So Kind of random but I was surfing the interwebs window shopping and I saw this necklace. I immediately thought of you guys. http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/honeycomb-necklace
Had to share :)
So pretty!
xo
s
I’m still looking for a way to turn thi pix into something from Threadless… Maybe John’s new fav shirt?
But I’m too distracted by the rave going on next door… Maybe I need to party crash? Mad bass and disco light make me jealous? (In a culs-de-sac in the ‘burbs)
Keep up the Love… And I guess I need to find a way to explain to my Huz that our house is simply in The Middle.
:-)
Hahah, so funny!
xo
s
amazon book orders should ship soon! I was told mine wouldn’t come til after Christmas. I was going to cancel it yesterday so I could buy a signed one from a local bookstore in Richmond online, but it has been shipped! Ding dang y’all, I can’t wait!!
Wahoo! So glad they’re all going out! No idea why the messages say it’s out of stock or not going to come until after Christmas (thousands of them should arrive to Amazon.com’s warehouse next week). Here’s hoping they all find their way out (and amazon.com stops saying it’s out of stock :)
xo
s
#problemsofanimmigrant I would never be able to guess Americanized Riddles at work. So When I saw this image, I felt like it must have something relating to a rockstar whom I don’t know, words/phrases that I don’t know etc.
Then I was like take up the challenge girl! Words that came our of my mouth: singer, thread ,needle and then with a wide smile guessed it Automatic Singer Needle Threader! thanks for boosting up my morale with an easy riddle hah.
Hi guys, big month! This is unrelated: I was just sourcing art for the next issue of Slice Magazine and was browsing art and design blogs. Saw this and thought of John!
http://www.thefoxisblack.com/2012/12/05/the-desktop-wallpaper-project-featuring-jude-landry/
xox
Jenny
It’s awesome! Thanks so much!
xo,
s
That was all in November? YOu guys need to settle in for a long winter’s nap. Or maybe another tropical vacation. Such a blast meeting you both here in DC. Thanks so much for taking the time and energy to meet all of us. It capped off what had been a completely magical week for me, so thanks.
Aw thanks Marian, you’re so sweet! It was great to meet you in DC! Thanks so much for coming out!
xo
s
Hey!
They do make chalk markers or chalk ink. The write like markers but look like chalk and then just come off with water. Its what the use at coffee houses and other cool places that make chalk boards look like art!!
Oh yes that stuff look like fun – although we hear sometimes it can ghost (leave stains) on chalkboards if you don’t erase it frequently.
xo
s
Just wanted to notify you guys (if you weren’t already aware) that your book is currently selling on the amazon “used” book section for $515-$900! I think you’ve crossed over into the rare books category.
Ahhh, that’s so crazy! We hear it’s pretty easy to find in actual book stores (in your local B&N for example). Hope that helps anyone who has been waiting for it to come back into stock on amazon!
xo
s
Ooooh I hope I win the karaoke killing robot!!!
Also wanted to say that I love your front door and plan to paint the door of my next home an eye-catching color too. I always judge a home by it’s front door…is that so wrong???
Thanks for all the great ideas & hope you have a great week ahead!!! -CJ
PS… just heard Bethenny is going to be on Watch What Happens Live on Tues! :)
Haha, thanks for the tip about WWHL on Tues! And good luck with your door!
xo
s
I have a problem with chalk too! Ugh, I cannot stand to touch the stuff!!
I found your book at Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago when I was bored and browsing for something to thumb through as I sipped coffee at the little Starbucks table. I’d seen your blog a few times, mostly through Pinned tutorials and googling this or that (the most memorable one at that time was your first house’s bathroom renovation, my boyfriend LOVED your DIY sink/vanity)…it seemed like everything we loved and wanted to use as inspiration came from this blog! Not to mention we are neighbors, I live in Va Beach. So naturally when I was browsing for a book and walked past yours purely by chance….I grabbed it and started thumbing through. I wasn’t buying books that day so I didn’t buy it yet. I liked what I saw however so I headed home and started reading your blog from the very first post. I am happy to say I just made it to this post, it took me roughly 2 weeks to get through it, all seven hundred plus pages (let’s just say I have some chores/tv shows/book/life to catch up on) but I just wanted to say that it has truly been a joy to get to know you guys and your families, to share your ups and downs, learn some great DIY tips, and have a few gut busting laughs! I still haven’t bought your book but only because I’m fairly certain ol’ Saint Nick has something up his sleeve for me :) I think I dropped the hint too many times though and may end up with like 5 copies from different family members :-/
My novel of a post is complete!! Now that I am done reading this blog I just don’t even know what to do with myself, I wasn’t even planning on writing any comment on here and now look at me. Good thing you guys post a lot
Aw that’s so sweet Penny! So glad you found us! And I hope Saint Nick surprises you with our book in a few weeks ;)
xo
s
Oh that Singer Sewing machine would be so awesome to replace my Oh Brother piece of bleeping bleep!
Neat! You are featured in Cultivate’s 22 kitchen gift ideas!
http://www.cultivate.com/blog/22-kitchen-gifts-ideas-every-price?utm_source=Cultivate&utm_medium=edm&utm_content=121012&utm_campaign=Blog
Aw that’s so sweet of them! LOVE IT!
xo
s
Hopefully this comment goes through! I’ve been trying to leave a comment on this post and your Houston recap post, but my home computer would not let me. I’m trying again from work! Thanks for posting the beavis-ification- that’s me! Haha and we still love that picture. It was so great meeting y’all and sharing that with y’all. If you would like to read them, I wrote posts about both in my (rarely updated) blog http://www.ranch-home.blogspot.com/2012/11/sketchy-business.html and http://www.ranch-home.blogspot.com/2012/11/young-house-love-book-signing-meeting.html.
Hahah, we’re still laughing about that sketch! Thanks so much for coming out and bringing the hilarity (aka: the sketch) with you. Made our night!
xo
s (& j)
Have you tried the chalkboard markers? They are seriously awesome!!
http://www.amazon.com/Chalk-Ink-Classic-Markers-8-Pack/dp/B00251G48E/ref=pd_sbs_op_3
oops just saw your comment above that can stain. ergh:/ bummer!!
No worries Katy! Maybe they’ll come out with better ones that don’t have that issue?
xo
s
These worked much better for me in comparison to the chalk ink ones (and I agree, this whole liquid chalk thing is so awesome!!):
http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Chalk-Markers-Chalkboard-Whiteboard/dp/B00C2M5Q9O
Thanks Rob!
xo
s
Just ordered my very own signed copy of your book from Fountain Bookstore (from your link above).
I’M SO EXCITEDDDDDDDD *jumping up and down and clapping*
So glad! Hope you love it E!
xo
s