As we navigate through the early months of the year, it’s easy for time to blur, especially after the flurry of the holiday season. Taking a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and milestones is crucial for maintaining motivation and combating that nagging feeling of not having achieved enough, even when the to-do list seems endless. To celebrate the progress we’ve made and to keep our spirits high, we’re revisiting January’s highlights with a fun, yearbook-superlative-style round-up. This annual tradition helps us appreciate the journey and the myriad projects we tackle. For those who love to trace our path even further back, you can explore our complete monthly summaries from the last two years, conveniently compiled into 24 posts, rather than sifting through 840 individual entries, right here.
But before we dive into the familiar, let’s begin with something fresh, something we haven’t yet shared on the blog, and a rather amusing theory involving bacon and mustaches…
Most Likely To Sport A Mustache
This honor undoubtedly goes to anyone who visited the FLOR store in SoHo last month during our book signing event. The atmosphere was buzzing, and a particularly memorable element was the array of homemade mustache photobooth props. It was amidst this playful scene that I spontaneously coined what I consider a profoundly logical theory: “The mustache is the bacon of the face.” Think about it – both mustaches and bacon have experienced incredible surges in popularity, transcending their traditional roles to appear on all sorts of unexpected merchandise, from coffee mugs to novelty band-aids. There simply has to be a deeper connection, right? And, in a moment of symmetrical brilliance, I concluded the inverse: “Bacon is the mustache of breakfast.” This whimsical insight truly captured the lighthearted spirit of the event and the delightful absurdities that can spark creativity.
Most Intrigued
Our daughter, Clara, stole the show in this category when she unwrapped the homemade latch board we crafted for her as a Christmas gift. The sheer curiosity and delight on her face were priceless. Her very first reaction to the board, a spontaneous “oh wow man!”, instantly brought laughter to our home. We were thrilled to see her so utterly captivated by it, especially the colorful carabiners we incorporated to add visual appeal and a unique tactile element. This DIY project wasn’t just a toy; it was an engaging tool designed to stimulate her fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities, proving that thoughtful, handmade gifts often hold the most enduring appeal and spark the greatest intrigue in little ones.
Biggest Relief
Unveiling our new lighting line with Shades of Light was an immense relief and an incredibly rewarding experience. Keeping such an exciting side project under wraps for over a year had been challenging, so the moment of its public debut felt truly monumental. We poured countless hours into designing a collection that genuinely reflected our style: colorful, fun, and accessible. It was important to us that the pieces not only looked great but also fit within a reasonable budget, which is why we’re particularly proud that nothing in the line exceeds $99. Seeing our vision come to life and finally sharing these unique lighting fixtures with our community brought a profound sense of accomplishment and joy, making all the secrecy and hard work worthwhile.
Worst Speller
It’s no secret that I tend to rely heavily on spellcheck, a fact my wife Sherry often good-naturedly points out. This month, my title as “Worst Speller” was cemented when, just moments before hitting ‘publish’ on our 2013 blogging resolutions post, Sherry noticed a critical error. In every single graphic I had meticulously prepared, the word “resolutions” was consistently misspelled as “resoltions.” A quick, frantic session in Photoshop later, and the glaring typo was rectified, leaving our readers none the wiser. This incident served as a humorous reminder of the importance of a second pair of eyes, especially in the fast-paced world of blogging, and the sheer volume of details that go into crafting seemingly simple content.
Most Handsome
This award unequivocally goes to our beloved Burger. It would be quite peculiar to bestow it upon anyone else in our household, given his undeniable charm. He truly looks distinguished and regal, especially when posing beside the stylish new pillow I gifted Sherry for Christmas. This delightful vignette was part of our festive round-up of exchanged gifts, which also featured some fun temporary tattoos and a series of amusing facial expressions from our family. Burger’s calm demeanor and photogenic presence always add a touch of warmth and personality to our home, making him a deserving recipient of this honorary superlative.
Most Text-y
Both Sherry and I could probably vie for this title, considering how frequently we communicate via text. It was through a text, in fact, that Sherry first introduced me to our fantastic new media console after she discovered it at a local thrift store. However, Sherry would undoubtedly win this category by a landslide, thanks to her epic, marathon text conversations with various non-local friends. Yes, I’m specifically referring to you, Katie, and you, Roo! Her ability to maintain lengthy, detailed exchanges through SMS is truly a marvel, highlighting the power of modern communication in staying connected across distances and sharing exciting finds, like that perfect thrift store score.
Biggest Nerd
While I often proudly wear the “nerdy pants” in our family, I’m happily ceding this title to Sherry this month. Her dedication to an oh-so-scientific equation for meticulously cleaning our dingy new thrift store media console was truly impressive. She approached the task with a level of precision and experimentation that would make any scientist proud, turning a simple cleaning job into a fascinating project. Perhaps I shouldn’t encourage her too much, or she might just attempt to craft her own DIY version of the periodic table—which, knowing Sherry, would somehow involve acquiring 118 new pillows. Her meticulous nature and boundless creativity, even in seemingly mundane tasks, truly make her our biggest nerd.
Most Talked About
Sherry’s bangs earned this distinction hands down. She spontaneously cut them herself one day, and since then, they have become an unexpected topic of widespread conversation. From countless comments on almost every Instagram photo to inquiries at every stop on our book tour, her bangs have truly had a moment in the spotlight. It seems people are perpetually asking where they’ve gone or demanding their more frequent emergence, perhaps because they only make an appearance for special occasions. As a guy, I confess to being both fascinated and slightly confounded by the intense interest everyone has in my wife’s hair, but it certainly proves that even small personal style changes can generate significant buzz.
Most Compact
Our casual yet incredibly efficient system for Christmas decoration storage earned the “Most Compact” award. We meticulously outlined this system for all those who were curious about our secrets to cramming an entire house worth of holiday decor out of sight for the other eleven months of the year. The key lies in strategic planning and utilizing every inch of available space, ensuring that our festive treasures are both protected and easily accessible when the next holiday season rolls around. This organized approach to seasonal storage has been a game-changer, helping us maintain a clutter-free home while still enjoying our extensive collection of festive adornments.
Most Quotable
This award wholeheartedly goes to Clara these days. Her witty and often profound little remarks are a constant source of joy and amusement for our family. It’s precisely why we decided to make her funny little quotes, paired with her equally adorable Instagram pictures, the centerpiece of our annual DIY calendar. And of course, Burger makes a special appearance too, adding his own brand of charm. This project wasn’t just about creating a calendar; it was about preserving these precious, fleeting moments of childhood wit and wisdom. You can explore all the details of our custom calendar here, and if you’re inspired to capture your own family’s quotable moments, you can even download our free template.
Most Trendy
This superlative is awarded to the art we installed above the daybed in our sunroom. It’s not necessarily the art itself that’s exceptionally trendy—though my current affinity for maps is certainly a widespread sentiment these days. Rather, the trendiness comes from my foray into the world of animated GIFs, which I created to showcase the art wall’s progress from conception to completion. Embracing this dynamic visual format allowed us to share the transformation in an engaging and modern way, demonstrating how even classic decor choices can be presented with a contemporary twist. Yes, I suppose you could say I’m feeling quite “fancy” now with my GIF-making skills, staying current with digital content trends.
Most Adulterous
While “adulterous” isn’t typically a desirable award, I’ll happily accept it this month to acknowledge my not-so-secret love affair with the oversized bike prints adorning our sunroom. My adoration extends equally to the easy DIY frames I crafted to house them. These prints, with their vintage charm and grand scale, instantly transformed the space, adding character and a personal touch that resonates deeply with my aesthetic. The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the DIY frames further cemented my affection for this particular project. It’s a genuine design crush, a testament to how the right pieces of art, thoughtfully framed, can truly elevate a room and capture one’s heart.
Most Colorful
This award goes to our entire house palette. While the swatch of colors itself might not appear wildly vibrant at first glance, I’m nevertheless bestowing this honor upon the corresponding blog post because its central theme was precisely about viewing the colors throughout our home as a cohesive, living entity. When you consider all the textiles, rugs, and decorative accessories we’ve incorporated, it becomes clear that we truly have every color of the rainbow represented. This post delved into how we intentionally weave various hues together to create a harmonious yet dynamic environment, demonstrating that a “colorful” home doesn’t necessarily mean loud, but rather thoughtfully curated and balanced.
Most Helpful
My newest little DIY assistant, Clara, undoubtedly takes home the “Most Helpful” award this month. She eagerly lent a hand, or rather, a squeeze to the power drill, while I was assembling the new Expedit shelving unit for our sunroom. And yes, you read that correctly – we absolutely used a power tool to put together a piece of IKEA furniture. Call it efficiency, call it laziness, but I am far too impatient to tackle all that allen wrenching by hand! Clara’s enthusiastic, albeit supervised, participation added a charming element to the project, making a typically mundane assembly task much more enjoyable and memorable. Her budding interest in DIY projects already makes her a fantastic little helper.
Most Revealing
The glass-doored bathroom in our Miami hotel wins the “Most Revealing” award, hands down. We stayed there as part of our book tour stops in Austin, Texas, and South Florida. This particular design choice provided endless entertainment and became a recurring joke throughout our trip. It was just one of many memorable anecdotes from a journey filled with quirky moments, including me awkwardly curtsying in a Home Depot apron, Sherry’s surprisingly weak (yet hilarious) Dexter impression, and the adorable antics of “$herdog’s littlest homeboy.” This trip was a delightful blend of work and unexpected adventures, reminding us that travel often brings the most revealing and entertaining stories.
The “Clean Slate” Award
This prestigious award has to go to our playroom, which had unfortunately devolved into a glorified “junk room” over a year ago while we were busy with book photography. We were overjoyed to finally tackle this space, clearing it out completely and giving it a fresh coat of paint. The transformation was truly liberating! We were incredibly excited to reclaim and redesign this room, turning it into a functional and enjoyable area that we can actually appreciate, rather than a cluttered space we felt compelled to hide behind a closed door. This project offered a true sense of renewal, embodying the very essence of a “clean slate” for a highly-trafficked family area.
Most Honest
Given the numerous questions we received on the subject, and our commitment to always “keep it real” with our audience, we proudly shared a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how the book publishing business actually functions, at least from our personal experience. We revealed a crucial truth: publishing a book, while incredibly rewarding, doesn’t automatically make you a millionaire – or even remotely close to it. This transparency aimed to demystify the industry and manage expectations. We emphasized that our motivation for pursuing this venture was driven by pure passion and love for what we do. After all, as the old adage goes, “mo money, mo problems,” and sometimes, the intrinsic joy of a creative project is the greatest reward of all.
Most Excited
Clara, without a doubt, was the “Most Excited” this month, brimming with anticipation for her new big girl room. The space truly began to take on a room-like quality with the thoughtful additions we made. We incorporated a comfortable daybed, adorned with vibrant bedding in her absolute favorite colors, creating a cozy and inviting sleep area. Furthermore, I customized a play table by cutting it down to her perfect size, ensuring it was functional and comfortable for her. Watching her delight as these elements came together, transforming a mere space into her very own sanctuary, was incredibly rewarding and filled our home with her infectious excitement.
Most Likely To Be Pregnant
This humorous award goes to our dear friend Lori. By a curious coincidence, she has been pregnant both times we’ve had the pleasure of “crashing” her home for a blog feature. While many of you were undoubtedly hoping Sherry would take this prize – and rest assured, she is not currently expecting (unless you count her being in the same room as Clara and Burger, but they’re not in her belly!) – Lori is our deserving recipient. Her beautiful new house captivated many of our readers for numerous reasons, but particularly for the stunning custom built-ins they meticulously added to their family room. It’s always inspiring to see friends create such welcoming and well-designed spaces.
Most Likely To Keep Instagram In Business
We’re confidently claiming this title ourselves! Or perhaps, more accurately, we’re doing our part to keep the Instagram spin-off services thriving. Our recent flurry of orders included prints destined for the captivating frame collage in our living room, alongside a delightful collection of magnets for Clara’s imaginative play kitchen. Instagram has become an invaluable tool for capturing and sharing everyday moments, and its ecosystem of printing services allows us to transform those digital memories into tangible keepsakes. This commitment to bringing our digital lives into our physical home décor ensures that our personal story is always on display, fostering a sense of warmth and individuality.
Most Fudge-ing Awesome
The overwhelming and incredibly positive response you all had to our spontaneous idea of hosting an Unofficial Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge was truly “Most Fudge-ing Awesome!” We confess, we harbored a secret fear that we might be the only ones utterly obsessed with hip hop’s numero uno tribute to thrifting. So, the sheer enthusiasm and participation from our community were truly the icing on the cake, or perhaps, more appropriately, the faux fur on the big a$$ coat! This challenge proved to be a fantastic way to engage with our readers, share a mutual love for creative budgeting, and celebrate the unique treasures found in thrift stores, all while having a ton of fun.
Most Debated
This superlative belongs to the new dresser we scored on Craigslist for Clara’s big girl room. The moment it arrived, a lively debate erupted within our household: should it be painstakingly refinished to restore its original glory, or should it embrace a bold, beautiful coat of paint? The jury is still out at our house, as we weigh the pros and cons of each approach. However, we were incredibly grateful for the avalanche of suggestions and creative ideas poured in by our amazing community. This friendly design dilemma highlights the fun, and sometimes challenging, aspects of incorporating second-hand finds into a thoughtfully designed space, especially when balancing preservation with personalization.
Most Organized
My now-complete pegboard in the basement unequivocally takes the prize for “Most Organized.” After a period of thoughtful planning and meticulous arrangement, it has finally been filled with a perfect balance of both form and function. Decorative elements, such as a wooden USA cutout and a whimsical white elephant, add personality and visual interest, while practical items like a sturdy shelf, an iPod dock, and a convenient pen cup ensure everything has its designated place. This project was more than just organization; it was about creating an inspiring and efficient workspace, making the basement not just a storage area, but a hub of creativity and productivity.
Most Likely To Get Lots of Action
Hold on, not that kind of action! What I actually mean is that the new pink polka-dot and ombre rug in Clara’s big girl room is probably going to be the epicenter of countless hours of play. We fully anticipate it witnessing an abundance of jumping, hosting numerous tea parties, and even serving as the stage for spirited stuffed animal mosh pits. This vibrant and playful rug was chosen not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ability to define a central play area, encouraging imagination and boundless energy. It’s designed to withstand the delightful chaos of childhood, making it a highly active and cherished addition to her special space.
Most Likely To Miss The Memo That Christmas Is Over
This award unequivocally goes to these charming white ceramic houses, a thoughtful Christmas gift Sherry received. Despite being part of Ballard Designs’ holiday collection, they have defiantly earned a permanent, post-holiday spot on our mantle. We shared this delightful integration, along with two other mini updates, in a recent post. If Sherry has her way, these quaint little houses will reside there indefinitely, adding a touch of cozy, year-round charm. At least we don’t have to worry about paying any utilities on them! Their timeless appeal allows them to transcend seasonal boundaries, proving that some decor pieces are simply too good to pack away.
As we close the chapter on our January recap, we’re curious: How did the first month of the year unfold for you? Did you embark on significant travels, either for work or for leisure? Were you able to tackle and complete any major home projects or personal goals? Or did you find yourself simply hunkering down, trying to stay warm and prevent your DIY-loving hands from freezing off during the colder days? We always love hearing about your experiences and accomplishments as you navigate your own homes and lives. Share your January highlights with us!
Psst—For a guaranteed laugh, be sure to check out the most hilarious house-related kid quotes ever compiled on Young House Life. Seriously, we challenge you not to chuckle. These kids are pure geniuses!