One of my favorite parts of blogging is being honest. Around the new year, when those voices push the idea of being the “perfect” person, partner, or parent, I try to resist and remember that authenticity matters more than perfection. If our house is messy, I’ll show it. If a project baffles us, we say so. When we fail at something, we write about it. Being open about the good, the bad, and the messy feels truer than only sharing highlights.
We started this blog as total DIY beginners — figuring out basics like hanging curtains and finding good deals on appliances. Over the years we’ve learned a lot by doing, but we still make plenty of mistakes. Our approach is simple: try things, learn from them, and move on. Here are some honest confessions about life, parenting, and home projects that might surprise you, or maybe won’t if you know us well.
#1. I don’t have a perfect marriage. People often ask if John and I ever argue. Of course we do. We’ve been together for years and we still disagree. We’re both strong-willed and opinionated, which sometimes leads to heated conversations about parenting, renovations, or everyday decisions. We aren’t dramatic in front of Clara, but tensions happen. What matters is that we share the same goals: a happy, healthy daughter, a safe and welcoming home, and mutual support. We’re a team — sometimes imperfect, occasionally crabby, but a team nonetheless.
#2. My child isn’t perfect either. Clara has wonderful qualities: she sleeps well, loves to sing and dance, and surprises us with strange snack choices. But she’s also a toddler — which means tantrums, tears, teething, messes, and the occasional projectile muffin. Parenting brings both joy and exhausting moments. I’ve gone through difficult experiences like labor and months of breastfeeding that took time and energy while we balanced renovating and daily life. Still, Clara is completely worth it and perfectly right for our family.
#3. I make design and life mistakes all the time. Rooms and routines change. We’ve painted trim with the wrong finish, bought the wrong-sized rug, and learned how to use power tools along the way. The key is not to stay stuck. If a rug or a paint color doesn’t work, we reuse it somewhere else, sell it, or save up for a better option. Progress comes from adapting, not from being paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. Growth happens when we try, learn, and adjust.
#4. I’m awkward and less polished than I might seem. I often have paint under my nails, stretched-out shirts from breastfeeding, and traces of dog fur or snack smears on my clothes. I’m prone to social awkwardness — like mistaking a stranger for my husband and then realizing it in the middle of a store. When someone recognizes me and I fumble through a conversation, I’m reminded that authenticity includes awkward moments. I don’t always look styled or put together, and that’s okay.
#5. I get nervous about the future. Running a small business and building a career as a blogger is unpredictable. We’ve saved a cushion to help weather uncertainty, but I still feel anxious about what comes next. That insecurity is normal. We try to be practical, plan ahead when we can, and trust that we’ll find a way forward even when things feel uncertain.
#6. I roll my eyes at myself. I know I can be overenthusiastic and cheesy. My tone isn’t for everyone, and sometimes I cringe at my own puns or bubbly expressions. But being genuine is part of why I blog: to share real life, even the goofy parts. Embracing that energy has helped this blog grow into something meaningful for us and for readers who relate to the imperfect, honest approach.
#7. My house is usually a disaster. At any moment there’s likely a pile of projects in progress, toys spilling across a playroom, or a corner in mid-renovation. We balance chaos and progress — some rooms look tidy while others are full of sorting piles. Living with unfinished projects is part of how we learn and improve our home.
In short, I don’t have life perfectly figured out. I’m a regular person who started a blog, forgets small things like contact lenses sometimes, and shows up messy and real. Perfection is overrated. I’m a work in progress, and so is our house — and that’s exactly how we like it.