We’re often asked a question we’ve asked ourselves many times: are we doing a project for ourselves or for the blog? It’s not always an easy question to answer in the moment, but it becomes clearer in hindsight. In this episode we reflect on past projects we might have approached differently if no audience were watching, how we keep ourselves grounded now, and how we decide which home tasks to tackle ourselves versus hire out. Plus: Sherry finally gets to realize a long-held makeover idea she’s been imagining for years.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or Spotify — or listen on the player embedded on the original post.
What’s New
- Below you’ll find the before-and-after photos from the time we upgraded both our mailbox and our neighbor’s mailbox, which we mentioned in the episode (see our Episode #44 for more background).
- The mailbox upgrade has been in place for over a year. It’s held up great; our only minor complaint is that a hawk in the neighborhood sometimes treats the decorative top ball as a perch, which means occasional bird droppings. If you have large birds nearby, consider a post with a pointier top.
- For reference, here’s a current view of our front yard. Yes, there’s a yard underneath all those leaves — and somehow many leaves are still clinging to the trees well into the season.
- And here’s the driveway right now:
- I’ve relied on a plug-in leaf blower for over a decade for big jobs, and recently I’ve also been using a lightweight battery-operated blower for quick cleanups. The battery blower is especially handy for clearing the driveway or patio without dealing with an extension cord.
Listener Question
- This episode’s listener question ties in closely with Episode #14, where we explored what quitting our blog taught us. If you want to dig deeper into motivation and priorities, that’s a good companion listen.
- We referenced several past projects while answering, including our sunroom floor stenciling and the cork floor installation — both examples of trying something new and learning along the way.
- We also talked about the penny tile backsplash we installed in a previous kitchen, which was a playful departure from our earlier subway tile tutorial.
- Other references include Episode #117, where we weighed the pros and cons of decorating one room at a time and how it’s easy to overthink details such as lamp shades or kitchen rugs.
- Sherry’s wardrobe choices — her so-called “uniform” — are covered thoroughly in Episode #115 and in our minimal closet post, which includes photos and a video if you want more context about simplifying a wardrobe.
- We also mentioned how a reader named Lesley influenced our laundry room makeover; below is an image that shows how the design evolved thanks to that suggestion.
- We posted our original laundry room plans, then shared the revision inspired by reader feedback, and later the final reveal of the renovated space. That process is a good example of how outside input can meaningfully improve a project.
We’re Digging
- Sherry has been excited about custom peg “family portraits” from various Etsy sellers — small wooden peg characters displayed in shadow boxes, often personalized with pets or baby details. These little portraits capture personalities in a fun, handmade way.
- Our friend also makes themed character sets (Ghostbusters, Harry Potter, Breaking Bad), though her shop is currently on hiatus while she focuses on her new baby. When she’s back, her sets are worth checking out for gifts or special displays.
- I’ve recently started using a slim wallet that’s compact, practical, and available in many colors. I chose a muted brown and have been pleased with how it streamlines what I carry.
- There are also a number of small leather wallets on Etsy that include personalization at no extra charge; if personalization matters to you, look carefully at total price versus base price since some sellers upcharge for monograms.
- On the key front, I’ve been simplifying with a compact leather key holder that keeps keys organized and quiet. We talked about this in Episode #113, where I shared the benefits of reducing bulk and making everyday carry more intentional.
If you’re searching for something we’ve featured in a past episode but can’t remember which show notes to click, we keep a master list of everything we’ve been digging across episodes. We also maintain a Book Club page that collects all the books we’ve recommended.
Thanks for listening and following along — your questions and feedback help shape what we try next.
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