Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Twenty-Twelve Resolutions

Every year we publicly proclaim a few of our resolutions in the hope that it’ll light a fire under our arse (arses?) and help us “get there.” So without further ado (except for this gratuitous and very much in-progress pic of the cabinet doors being primed)…

Priming All Primed Close

… here they are:

Resolution #1 – To Get Around: We’re excited for 2012 to be a good travel year for us, since we have been invited to speak at the Portland Home & Garden Show in February (really? us?) and at the Haven Conference in Atlanta in June (we’re the keynote speakers, which makes us excited and nauseous all at the same time). So we’ll hopefully get to meet a lot of you guys at those events. And when our book comes out this fall we hope to get to do some touring just to thank as many of you for reading our blog right to your face as possible. You know and be awkward and blushy and say things like “that’s so weet of sou” instead of “that’s so sweet of you.” True story.

sunday-driver2

Resolution #2 – To Make Our Archives Easier To Navigate: With 2,000+ posts that have been written over 4+ years, we completely understand how hard it is to find things, especially all of the projects that get buried as we go! So we’d love to revamp our Projects page with photos and easier to use archival systems. You know we like to DIY things, so that means learning some coding stuff as we go. Should be fun…

Resolution #3 -To Find More Balance: This guy’s a repeat because we haven’t conquered it since declaring it last year. We mentioned that “since the internet is 24/7, and we work from home, sometimes it’s hard to resist working nights, weekends, and even on vacation, so we hope to get a handle on that.” Especially with Clara around, some healthy family-friendly balance seems like a good idea. Here’s hoping 2012 is the year that we get it down!

Resolution #4 – To teach Clara how to prime & paint: Ok, maybe that’s not very age appropriate, but at least let me teach the girl how to caulk. Kidding again. Hmm, maybe we can show her how to peel painter’s tape? Seems like something she’d love! This resolution is just about keeping Clara involved and hopefully raising a little DIY lover like ourselves. I mean, we won’t force it on her, but including her in some toddler-friendly projects or steps could be fun for the whole fam. The girl does love her tape measure (more on that here), so we’re off to a good start…

Clara Measure

Resolution #5 – Simplify, simplify, simplify! Sometimes it seems like we should say yes to every opportunity (why not?) or try to tackle ten projects at a time (gung-ho!) but we’ve learned that keeping things simple and staying focused on one task at a time might just be the key to sanity. So we have to fight that “little voice” that pushes us to do more/attempt to be super-human/cater to everyone else. Just sharing whatever’s going on in our little world is what got us here (over four million hits a month is both humbling and mind-blowing). So we have to fight the urge to keep piling more on our plate or attempting to please everyone on the planet. This is just a good old fashioned DIY diary. And simple = a beautiful thing.

Who’s ready for 2012? What are your resolutions? I’d love to hear what you guys would like to accomplish this year (either in list form like ours or just a sentence or two about whatever you plan to focus on). Do you have any personal resolutions going on? I’d love to drink more water, eat more veggies, read more books, and get back into painting (on paper and canvas – since I have wall and cabinet painting covered already). Oh yeah and to Netflix Homeland since so many people have recommended it. Is that resolution-worthy? From what I hear, it is.

Psst- We’re over on BabyCenter sharing a cute handmade-with-love nursery that’s gender neutral, modestly sized, and packed with DIY ideas! Check it all out here.

Comments

  1. Jessie says

    Come to Wisconsin!!! I am a huge fan and would love to meet you both. I CAN NOT wait for your book– it’s already on my Christmas list for 2012.

    Reply

    • Jess says

      I definitely agree! Wisconsin is the place to be… and at the rate you’re going, if you run out of DIY projects for your house, I have about a million left on my list you could help with while you are here :)

      Have a happy new year! Wish you the best of luck on your NY resolutions.

      Mine include: 1) flossing daily, 2) hitting the gym 3 times a week, 3) saving for big purchases before buying them 4) finish DIY-ing a mudroom and a pantry

  3. michele says

    Portland?! Wahooo! I’m up in Seattle, but my In-Laws are in Portland so maybe we will just have to road trip down for the weekend. (and, on a related note, you should TOTALLY book tour yourselves up to Seattle when the time comes!)

    So many resolutions but the biggie has to be to find our first house in 2012. We walked away from what would have been our first house in October of this year after a scary inspection and we are definitely ready to try again.

    Reply

  5. Pip says

    Not sure if this can be a resolution, but I really, really hope that 2012 is the year we welcome another little one into our family. Fingers crossed :)

    Reply

  7. Heidi says

    WAIT!!! You’re going to be in Ptown? That’s only 4 hours away from me. Is it weird that I’d jump in a car on a moments notice to go and hang out with a blogger that I’ve read forever and never met? Probably. Can you bring Katie with you? Ok, maybe that’s pushing it.
    What day is your event? Do you know yet?

    Reply

  8. Briel K. says

    Ooh, I love your first resolution! Yay yay yay. I am crossing my fingers and toes that you come to LA or even Northern CA for your book tour! :)

    I’m planning on visiting Seattle and possibly Vancouver this year. I don’t think it will be in February though or I’d try to make it to Portland as well!

    Reply

  9. K says

    I just wanted to say how much I appreciate such a positive post to bring in the new year. Many bloggers seem to be dedicating posts merely to complain about how tired they are when in actuality, they are very blessed to have a “busy” business and to be doing something they love. Your outlook is a breath of fresh air as usual, and I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for you!

    Reply

  10. Lauren says

    not really new year related but 4 MILLION hits a month is amazing
    That’s 1/5th the population of Australia or after a quick wikipedia-ing every person in the Republic of Congo!!
    kudos to you both
    and my resolution is to give a hug everyday (i’m not a hugger)
    Lauren :)

    Reply

  14. Melanie says

    Just want to say I appreciate and respect you as people and you as blog writers. I both enjoy and learn from your blog. Your blog is like a comforting friend or neighbor. Just want to encourage and congratulate you, and I will be buying your book.

    Reply

  15. Jessica G says

    best of luck to you all! we’re starting by organizing our office today. :)

    also, saw a DIY table here today: http://tommyandellie.com/?p=14#comment-402

    recognize those chairs…and later the slipcovers? :) maybe you’ve already heard from those bloggers but i got (abnormally) excited seeing your previously-hotel-style parson chairs at someone else’s table. Happy New Year!

    Reply

  16. Robin says

    Traveling more is on our list too! Speaking of travel… If you are looking to take a trip to FL *cough cough* Mickey Mouse Perhaps… about two hours from Orlando is my charming city of St. Petersburg, FL. Everytime I see this thrift/antique store I think of you two and how much you would love it… http://www.paperstreetantiques.com They have a lot of neat shops on Central Ave and the Saturday Morning Market is also a neat place to get knick knacks & delicious homemade food and such… http://www.saturdaymorningmarket.com

    Reply

  17. Susan says

    Yay – so excited you are coming to the Home and Garden show in Portland – I work at my friend’s landscape booth every year so will definitely see you. We’re know for rain, but we are green, lush and have the most awesome coffee and microbrews to get you through it!

    Reply

  18. Katie G says

    My resolution is to experience this year as it happens and not look back at the end of 2012 and wonder where all the time went (like I am now…)

    Reply

  19. Sarah says

    I like this “keeping things simple and staying focused on one task at a time”. When it comes to my blog I am trying to keep it simple. Yet I am finding that in our small remodeling and fixing up of our home, it’s hard to try to keep my posts simple about our house. I tend to think I need to post something major! I think that’s something I will keep in mind now, “keeping things simple and staying focused on one task at a time” :) I am going with “New Year’s Goals” and that is one of them.

    Reply

  20. Heather says

    I AM SOOOOO EXCITED THAT YOU ARE COMING TO PORTLAND!!!!! I am so going to be there! We just moved back into our home after renting it for a 2 years and we have been doing a ton of work on, can’t wait to share the finished result with you guys!

    Reply

  21. OnMon says

    Speaking of getting Clara involved, I found the absolute cutest tape measures at Ten Thousand Villages the other day. They were made in Vietnam I think, covered with little cloth animal shapes and the tails could be pulled and would stretch into the tape measure! They were medical tape measures too, so no risk of pinching little fingers when you press the button to close them (though the button was covered by the plush animal part, and of course they only went to 60 inches, but hey, Clara could get a lot out of 60 inches, no?). I don’t even have kids but I had to pick up a black kitty one because they were that cute. And handmade. And fair trade. And only $8.

    Are you sold yet?

    Reply

  22. Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says

    Another big “woot!” here for Portland- so great you guys will be here! I look forward to reading about it, since we all know you’ll give us all the details (why I love it here!), though I’m not sure I’d make it up north to see you (I’m in Eugene area). The PNW is my favorite part of our country, though my second favorite is the area around where you live. Alas, since family keeps me here, I’ll live in your area vicariously through you guys. ;-)

    Reply

  23. Amber says

    AAAHHHH! You’re coming to portland! Why yes, yes I will be forcing my husband and 2 little ones to come to portland with me in february to see you two DIY rockstars ;)

    Reply

  25. Tracy says

    That is so exciting that you are going to Portland! I live in Boise, but am from Oregon and flipped when I saw you guys would be in Portland. My husband officially thanks I am nuts when I told him we are road tripping in Feb to see you guys. (Okay… now that I type that out it does sound a little stalkerish). Do you think you guys will come to Boise for the book tour? Or maybe Salt Lake?

    Reply

  26. Lisha says

    Hi guys,

    I agree with the balance resolution. Working from home ends up being more work than a regular 9-5 (even though it’s more fun, it’s bad when you’re trying to create balance in life).

    p.s. I’m not going to force you to come to San Diego, even though we’d love to have you, I just don’t want to guilt trip you into it… you should do what’s right for you! ;)

    p.p.s. Saw your other post about your cabinet priming and it looks like it’s coming along!

    p.p.p.s. Congrats on 4 mil hits a month! wowie! :)

    ~Lisha

    Reply

  27. Nadia says

    Your archives aren’t so bad- I bought a few wicker chairs for my patio, and one didn’t match. So I pulled up YHL while in the aisle at Lowes and under ‘projects’ then ‘refinishing furniture’ then found the post about when you ORB’d the legs of your couch! I found the spray paint you recommended & I’m getting started in the morning! Just wanted to let you know.

    Reply

  28. Lo says

    Gleeeeeeee!!!!! You are coming to Oregon?!!!! James and I will be at home and garden show, looking forward to seeing you guys there!!! I love your resolutions, achievable is the best!!

    Reply

  29. Emily says

    bahhhhhhh, i’m in Seattle so maybe I can make it to Portland to meet you, that would be so rad!!! :D Right now my resolutions are around self-improvement, “more patience, understanding, and positive thoughts” kinda stuff…plus MORE ADVENTURES, we need to go places this year!

    Reply

  31. Charisma says

    YAY! So happy you guys will be visiting the Great Northwest at the Portland Home and Garden Show! I live 4 hours north of Portland at the top of Washington State and will definitely take a day off and come down and see you guys there! I just visited the link you posted and it says the Q ad A is blogger invite only though, any suggestions on how to get an invite? I would really love to see you guys speak in person and maybe even get to meet you both.

    Best,

    Charisma

    Reply

  32. [email protected] says

    my biggest new year’s resolution is to get a handle on some of our debt. i’d like to rid ourselves of the credit card balance, get out of using our overdraft, and pay off one student loan. it’s definitely not impossible – it just takes some patience – something i lack.

    i’d like to tackle some small home projects along the way – starting with our master bedroom.

    Reply

  33. Christy U says

    2012 is starting out great!!! Just found out that you’re coming to the Portland Expo Center! Can’t wait to hear you both speak! Seriously AMAZING!!!!

    Reply

  34. Leslie Banke says

    So excited you’ll be coming to Portland! I live in McMinnville about 45 minutes away in beautiful Oregon Wine Country! If you get a chance while you’re out, you should head this way and taste some wonderful Pinot! I just so happen to work at the McMinnville Chamber and could share with you some great spots to visit! Hope you have an awesome time in Oregon and hope to see you at the show!

    Reply

  35. Suki L says

    Too many to list. Seriously… What it boils down to it is that I just want to do stuff. Last year I started and did some stuff but I let myself be halted by others. I’m realizing that that’s ridiculous. If I want to do something, I’m going to do it!

    Reply

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