Welcome back to another exciting update from the world of home renovations, mindful living, and a dash of unexpected humor! This week, we’re diving deep into our self-imposed month-long shopping ban, a challenge inspired by the transformative insights of Cait Flanders’ “Year of Less.” We’re sharing the nitty-gritty details of how we’re adapting her powerful rules to fit our unique lifestyle, aiming for a month of conscious consumption. Beyond our personal challenge, the much-anticipated duplex renovation is finally picking up speed, and we’re thrilled to answer some of your most pressing questions about the progress. And for a lighter moment, we’re recounting the truly embarrassing saga behind filming our April Fool’s video – trust us, it was even more awkward than it appeared! Plus, Sherry has found a new source of hope for humanity in an unexpected place: a makeover show that she believes might just be the key to healing the world.
For those who love to listen on the go, you can easily download this episode from popular platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify. Or, for immediate listening, simply use the player embedded below. This page also serves as your go-to resource for all the supplementary links, notes, and stunning photographs we discuss in the episode. If you’re currently viewing this through a feed reader, you might need to click through to the original post to access the podcast player and all the visual content.
Duplex Renovation Update: From Skeleton to Structure
If you’ve been following our journey on Instagram and Facebook, you might have already glimpsed the dramatic transformation of the duplex. The image above captures it in its most raw, completely gutted state – a true skeleton of a house. Imagine walking through this space: no interior walls, no roof, just the exposed studs and the vast sky above. It’s a far cry from the modest structure we first encountered, as you can see in the ‘before’ picture below. We know what you’re thinking, and it’s a question we get frequently: “WHYYYY DID YOU STRIP IT SO FAR BACK?!” This total demolition was a deliberate and essential step in our renovation process, and we unpack all the intricate details and strategic reasons behind this decision in today’s podcast episode. From addressing unforeseen structural issues to completely reimagining the layout for modern living, a full gut often provides the cleanest slate and the most robust foundation for a truly transformative project.
The journey from a rundown duplex to a vibrant, functional home is a testament to vision and persistence. Our contractor and his team have been working diligently, and we’re thrilled to report significant progress. After we recorded this episode, the roof was not only reframed but also completely covered, providing essential protection and marking a major milestone in the reconstruction phase. While we enjoyed the exhilarating experience of walking through the property with nothing but the sky overhead, the new roof brings us one step closer to making this house a home again. You can catch a quick glimpse of this exciting development on our Instagram post here. We understand your eagerness for more updates, and we’re actively working on a dedicated blog post that will delve into further specifics about the recent progress, complete with more photos and insights into the construction process. In the interim, for those who haven’t yet, we invite you to take a closer look at the interior demo and explore our ambitious plans for revamping the floor plan. This renovation isn’t just about rebuilding a house; it’s about creating two distinct, inviting living spaces that will serve their occupants beautifully for years to come, maximizing natural light, efficiency, and contemporary design principles.
That Time We Embarrassed Ourselves for an April Fool’s Prank
- Oh, the things we do for a laugh! Earlier this month, we decided to embark on a truly memorable (and mortifying) April Fool’s prank. If you missed the original post and the accompanying video, you simply must click here to relive the moment. It led to one of the most hilariously awkward encounters we’ve ever had with our unsuspecting delivery guy. As fate would have it, and perhaps as a direct consequence of our comedic antics, we haven’t seen him on our route since. Whether he’s strategically avoiding us or has simply been reassigned, the memory of that day still makes us cringe and chuckle in equal measure. Sometimes, creating content involves stepping well outside your comfort zone, and this was definitely one of those times – all in the name of a good, albeit slightly mortifying, laugh!
Our Month-Long “No Shopping” Experiment: Embracing Conscious Consumption
In a world saturated with consumerism, the idea of a “shopping ban” can feel revolutionary. Our inspiration for this month-long experiment comes directly from Cait Flanders and her incredibly insightful book, The Year of Less. For those interested in the initial deep dive into Cait’s work and how it first sparked our interest, be sure to check out Episode #89. This challenge isn’t just about saving money; it’s a journey into conscious consumption, an exploration of needs versus wants, and a re-evaluation of our relationship with material possessions. It encourages us to appreciate what we already have, foster creativity in problem-solving, and potentially uncover healthier financial habits. We’ve meticulously crafted a set of rules to guide us through this experiment, aiming for clarity while allowing for genuine necessities. The goal is to minimize impulse purchases and focus our resources intentionally. Here’s a detailed look at our personal guidelines for the month-long shopping ban:
Things We Are Allowed To Buy: Maintaining Essential Functionality
These are the items deemed truly essential for daily living, health, and pre-existing commitments:
- Food, Groceries, and Basic Kitchen Supplies: This category covers all our nutritional needs and essential pantry items. If we run out of a fundamental kitchen tool or ingredient that is not easily substituted, a replacement is permitted. The focus here is sustenance, not indulgence.
- Toiletries and Cleaning Products: Only purchased when we genuinely run out of an item. This prevents unnecessary stockpiling and encourages us to use what we have completely before replacing it. From toothpaste to laundry detergent, the principle is strict necessity.
- Gifts for Others: Life continues, and so do celebrations. We are allowed to purchase gifts for occasions like birthdays, holidays, or other special events for friends and family. This maintains our social connections and commitments, separating personal consumption from generosity.
- Home Improvement Project Supplies: This rule is critical for our ongoing work. We can only purchase supplies for projects that are already underway or have been meticulously planned and budgeted for prior to the ban. This prevents new projects from being initiated purely for the sake of buying supplies and keeps our renovation momentum going without introducing new, unplanned expenses.
- Things Our Children Need (Not Want): Distinguishing between needs and wants is especially important for children. This category includes items like essential school supplies, necessary clothing replacements (not fashion updates), or other fundamental items required for their well-being and education. This ensures their basic necessities are met without indulging in discretionary spending.
Things We Are Not Allowed To Buy: Challenging Our Consumer Habits
This list represents the areas where we aim to curb impulse buys and decorative desires, fostering a greater appreciation for existing possessions and alternative solutions:
- Books and Magazines: Instead of new purchases, we’re relying heavily on our local library and any existing subscriptions. This rule encourages us to explore public resources and rediscover unread books on our shelves.
- Clothes or Shoes: This is a tough one! We’re only permitted to buy replacements if something breaks or is completely worn out beyond repair (e.g., a broken pair of flip-flops). This challenges us to make do with our current wardrobe and think creatively about styling.
- Cosmetics: A complete ban on new makeup or skincare products. This pushes us to use up what we already possess and appreciate natural beauty.
- Household Items like Decor, Candles, Furniture, etc.: This will undoubtedly be the hardest category for us! No new decorative accents, candles to “set the mood,” or pieces of furniture. It forces us to reconsider our existing home aesthetic and find joy in what’s already present.
- Electronics and Appliances: Unless an essential item breaks beyond repair and needs immediate replacement for household functionality, all new electronics and appliances are off-limits.
- Takeout Coffee, Tea, or Fun Drinks/Snacks from Stores like Starbucks: This targets a common discretionary spend. The goal is to encourage making coffee/tea at home and packing snacks, promoting both financial savings and mindful consumption away from daily indulgences.
Caveat: We do have a few gift cards on hand, which, if absolutely necessary, we can use for purchases. However, we’re already well over a week into this challenge, and we haven’t touched them yet. The fear of using them too early and ‘cheating’ our ban is very real, so we’re saving them for a true moment of weakness or genuine need! This experiment is proving to be incredibly insightful, highlighting just how many of our daily purchases are driven by habit or desire rather than actual necessity.
We’re Digging: Outdoor Refresh & Human Connection
While our shopping ban keeps us from acquiring new decorative items, it doesn’t stop us from appreciating and enhancing what we already have! I probably should have waited until the notorious pollen season here was officially over and the back porch area had its annual deep clean (hello, pervasive green haze!), but I couldn’t resist digging into our outdoor planters. You can still somewhat see the effect we’re going for in the image above – a fresh burst of greenery to enliven the space. Oh, and I realized after we recorded the episode that I should clarify: those three beautiful ferns we discussed? They were happily purchased a few weeks *before* the shopping ban officially went into effect. So, no, decorative ferns are definitely not on our “ok to buy” list during this challenge – good intentions, carefully timed! This moment of gardening, even amidst the pollen, highlights the simple joys of tending to our surroundings and connecting with nature, a perfect counterpoint to the focus on material restraint.
Speaking of outdoor aesthetics, our beloved large planter, featured prominently in the photo above, is unfortunately no longer sold (it was a fantastic find from Target about four years ago). But fear not! Sherry, ever the resourceful one, has curated a wonderful selection of currently available favorites that capture a similar style and utility. For reference, our original planters are quite substantial, measuring 21 inches tall and 18 inches square at the top. The good news is that #1 below is the most strikingly similar option we could unearth, providing that perfect blend of size and simple elegance. These planters are more than just containers; they are anchors for outdoor living spaces, adding vertical interest, defining areas, and bringing a touch of natural beauty to any patio, deck, or porch. Investing in quality planters allows you to create flexible, vibrant green spaces that can be easily updated with seasonal plantings, transforming your outdoor environment with minimal effort.
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Finally, moving from outdoor aesthetics to profound human connection, Sherry has been absolutely captivated by the Queer Eye reboot on Netflix. Watching her experience it is a show in itself – she’s often found laughing, crying, and clapping along, which is frankly a little weird to witness! This isn’t just a makeover show; it’s a powerful narrative about empathy, self-acceptance, and the incredible impact of genuine human kindness. The trailer below offers a glimpse into the magic, and there’s a tiny clip from the police officer episode that Sherry raved about. If you’re eager to dive straight into that particular story of transformation and understanding, it’s Episode #3. However, Sherry is emphatically shouting from the other room that nobody should just watch one episode! She firmly believes the entire season is a masterclass in demonstrating that, despite our perceived differences, we all share far more in common than we often realize. It’s a refreshing reminder that a little compassion, a well-chosen outfit, and a renewed sense of self-worth can indeed inspire profound positive change, contributing to her hopeful vision of it “healing the world.”
If you ever find yourself wondering about something we’ve ‘dug’ in a past episode but can’t quite remember which show notes to revisit, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a comprehensive master list of everything we’ve been digging from all of our previous episodes, making it easy to rediscover those gems.
And finally, we extend a huge thank you to West Elm LOCAL Experiences for generously sponsoring this episode. They’re currently running an incredible opportunity: you can enter to win an awesome getaway to Charleston, SC, now through May 15th, by visiting westelm.com/YHL. This isn’t just a contest; it’s part of a broader initiative designed to celebrate and support local makers and DIY enthusiasts across the country through various LOCAL Experiences. It’s truly a cool concept that resonates deeply with our passion for craftsmanship and community!
Thanks for tuning in and reading along, guys!
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