in love with YHL

So, Tuesday night I got to do something I had been looking forward to since sometime in October. Pretty much the only non-friend blog I regularly follow is Young House Love - written by a young couple living out (now full-time) their DIY dream. They have great ideas, are thrifty, and downright hilarious. And they recently published their first book. 

So, when my friend Sidhya texted me last October and told me that their book tour was making a stop in Austin - and if we pre-ordered the book through Book People we would get a ticket to their talk and the signing - I was totally in. And then it occurred to me that this would make a great b-day gift for my other dear DIY friend Katie. So...we waited patiently, patiently, patiently. And then we were stupid excited like kids on Christmas morning!

We had read some stories on their blog (in their recounting tales from other city stops on the tour) of crazy crowds and lines so we got there at 5...and were surprised to find the place pretty empty except for normal shoppers (the talk was to start at 7). It was at that point that we realized we were the crazy stalker groupies that we had sort of been making fun of - arriving early to avoid them. Errr, us, rather.

 I have to admit that I had (still have) a goal of being featured on their blog  - like - hey folks, look what awesome folks we met in Austin! (They do that sometimes.) So, of course we brought a gift. A little Austin t-shirt for their wee one (often on the blog) and a homemade paint swatch card w/ our photos (they love swatches).

 Waiting in our seats like giddy school girls. Is Elvis in the building yet? (Seriously - we basically sat around and talked about how we wouldn't know what to say if they walked in the room and started talking to us - because of course they would pick us out of the crowd to start talking to.)

 Peekaboo! (The only city where they got to enter through a curtain.)

 Their talk was short but great - totally true to form. They were at ease and funny - seemed just like they seem on the blog.

 Here we are after presenting our little gift and getting our books signed. Sidhya, Ali, Katie, John and Sherry.

Afterwards, we spent some time mocking all the losers who were still in line (and probably would be for hours), and trying to remember all the funny things they said during the talk. Oh, and reliving the fact that they said we were "a well dressed group" and Katie got specifically singled out because Sherry said she was making crazy/creepy eyes at her during the talk (Sherry to Katie, not the other way around). We're so cool.

The next day Sidhya wrote them this email w/ photos attached:

John & Sherry,

Thanks so much for coming to Austin!  I know you met a TON of people, but we're the group of three girls who were early in the line with the DIY paint chip photo card and Austin t-shirt for Clara (hope it fits her!).  

The three of us are in our early 30s with young kids, but last night, we reverted to middle school girls, giddy with excitement and super hyper about meeting you!  We LOVED your talk and were struck by how kind, genuine, witty, and downright hilarious you both are. We've each followed your blog for a long time, and from meeting you at Book People, we realized that John & Sherry on blog = John & Sherry in person.  Not that that should be surprising, but it's refreshing to witness authenticity!

Thanks for the tremendous inspiration--from stenciling walls to reupholstering furniture to photographing a baby every week for 52 weeks to baby led weaning (life-changing, by the way!)--you are making an amazing difference in so many lives.  Sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Thanks for doing what you do, and we look forward to following your future endeavors (Book 2, perhaps?!).  We've attached a few photos we took at the event!

Cheers from your Austin fans,

Alison, Katie, & Sidhya

 

And the day after...she actually got this response:

 

Aw, it was so much fun to meet you guys! We had the best time in Austin! Don't tell anyone, but that was our favorite event of all of them so far. Just an awesome venue with awesome people there smiling up at us. Hahah! You guys were the best. So so thankful you came out and you're so sweet to send such a great note (with pics!) afterwards. Thanks again! We lurve you.
xoxo
Sherry (& John)

________

 

We're still waiting to see if we make it on the blog - they haven't posted about Austin yet. Will definitely keep you posted. 

 

I dare the rest of 2013 to top that night. :)  (Okay, moving day might beat it. But just by a little...more on the house soon. Sheet rock is done!)