Get ready for an exciting update! This week, we’re pulling back the curtain on a thrilling new design project that promises to challenge us in fresh and exhilarating ways – not least because it’s an out-of-state endeavor! We’ll delve into its origins, what sparks our greatest enthusiasm, and the unique hurdles it presents. Beyond this monumental undertaking, we’re also reflecting on how our recent spring break vacation profoundly reinforced our ongoing mission to embrace minimalism and declutter our lives, despite a rather peculiar souvenir John brought back. Join us as we unveil a game-changing solution for organizing digital photos, introduce a brilliantly simple DIY tool that every homeowner needs, and even touch upon a memorable (and slightly nutty) culinary quote.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast listening app, like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Latest Updates & Insights
- Our recent Spring Break adventure to sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, served as yet another powerful reminder of what truly enriches our family life. For all four of us, experiences and shared moments vastly outweigh material possessions. This trip solidified our belief that prioritizing “less stuff and more time together” leads to genuine happiness and deeper connections. It’s a philosophy we continually strive to embed into our daily lives, and these travel experiences consistently bring it into sharp focus.
- We first explored this profound realization in Episode #45, following our inaugural Florida Spring Break back in 2017. That episode also featured Sherry discussing her initial discovery of the transformative book Simplicity Parenting. This book advocates for creating a calmer, simpler, and more connected family life by minimizing distractions and embracing quality over quantity. Sherry has since reread it multiple times, finding renewed inspiration and practical strategies within its pages to nurture a more focused and joyful environment for our children and ourselves.
- Above is a glimpse of the spacious house we secured through HomeAway. It proved to be an ideal base for our family getaway: clean, beautifully updated, and crucially, pet-friendly, allowing our furry companion to join in the fun. While its comfort and aesthetic appeal were certainly appreciated, what truly captured our hearts was the fantastic backyard pool. It became the epicenter of our relaxation and fun, especially with the bonus of numerous floats left by previous guests – we suspect a lively bachelorette party had recently enjoyed the space, evidenced by not one but two charming engagement ring floats that added a whimsical touch to our poolside antics!
- For a more exhaustive itinerary of our Fort Lauderdale explorations, you can refer to our detailed recap of last year’s adventure. However, we’re thrilled to share some of the standout highlights from this year’s unforgettable trip:
- Culinary Delights:
- Rocco’s Tacos: A vibrant spot known for its fresh guacamole prepared tableside and an extensive menu of authentic Mexican flavors, perfect for a lively family dinner.
- El Camino: Offering a modern take on Mexican cuisine with a fantastic atmosphere and delicious craft cocktails, it’s a great choice for both casual and special evenings.
- Milk Money: A stylish breakfast and brunch spot that quickly became a favorite for its creative menu and inviting ambiance, an excellent way to start the day.
- Le Tub Saloon: An iconic, rustic waterfront eatery (as seen in the photo above) famous for its incredible burgers and quirky charm, offering a truly unique dining experience.
- To The Moon: A nostalgic candy store that delighted everyone with its vast selection of sweets and retro treats – a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
- ChillN: An innovative nitrogen ice cream shop where your dessert is custom-made before your eyes, offering a fun and delicious scientific twist to a classic treat.
- Engaging Activities:
- Birch State Park: A serene urban oasis perfect for hiking, biking, or simply enjoying nature. We particularly enjoyed exploring the trails and marveling at the giant trees, including the one featured in an earlier photo, providing a peaceful escape from the bustling city.
- Water Taxi: An absolute highlight! We highly recommend taking a ride at sunset. The scenic journey along the canals, offering stunning views of Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront homes and vibrant skyline bathed in golden light, was truly magical and provided a unique perspective of the city.
- Everglades Holiday Park: While perhaps the most “tourist-y” activity on our list, it was undeniably a blast. The airboat tour was exhilarating, offering thrilling speeds and incredible wildlife spotting opportunities. We had the unforgettable experience of a wild alligator swimming right alongside our boat – a truly exciting moment for the whole family!
- Culinary Delights:
- And since we brought it up, pictured above is the ever-popular Tenzi game, which became our go-to evening entertainment during the trip. You’ve likely heard us rave about it countless times on the podcast; its fast-paced, simple nature makes it a perfect game for all ages, guaranteeing laughter and friendly competition. Of course, our enduring love for Uno also ensured many spirited rounds of card playing, solidifying its place as a classic family favorite for good reason.
That’s Embarrassing!
- I truly wish I had managed to snap a photo of the defiant (and surprisingly aggressive!) closet that launched a stealth attack on me in the dark. Perhaps it’s for the best that its menacing form is left to your vivid imagination, allowing you to conjure a far more sinister and dramatic assailant than a mere built-in dresser. But alas, here are a couple of photos documenting the utterly unlikely — and rather comical — injury I sustained from this domestic skirmish:
- The image on the left was captured in Florida, bright and early the morning after my unfortunate run-in with the aforementioned closet. The second photo, taken back home in Richmond, illustrates the bruise just past its most vibrant (and alarming) peak. It was quite a conversation starter!
- And speaking of memorable moments, if you’ve had the chance to peruse the April issue of Real Simple magazine, you might have already stumbled upon Sherry’s utterly unforgettable quote gracing page 126. If you haven’t yet, prepare yourself for its full, glorious, “nutty and meaty” impact. It’s a testament to the unexpected gems you can find even in the most polished publications!
An Exciting Design Challenge: The Real Simple Idea House
- We are BEYOND thrilled to announce our involvement in designing a room for the prestigious Real Simple Idea House this summer, located in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, NY! This is a truly significant opportunity, and we are incredibly excited to bring our unique vision to life within such an inspiring project. The design process will unfold over the next few months, culminating in the grand reveal featured in their highly anticipated October issue. For those who follow us on Instagram, Sherry is already buzzing with anticipation and can’t wait to share exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, design dilemmas, and triumphant breakthroughs as we progress. Be sure to tune in there for all the real-time updates!
- The anticipation is building, and yes, there’s a healthy dose of “gulp — no pressure or anything!” as we reflect on the caliber of previous designs. You can explore stunning photos of last year’s Real Simple Idea House directly on their website, which showcases incredible talent. We’re particularly inspired by the work of designers like Jenny Komenda and Shea McGee, both of whom shared insightful blog posts detailing their beautiful contributions to the house. Seeing their creative processes and the stunning results only fuels our excitement and determination to make our mark in this year’s project.
Quick Tip: Mastering Digital Photo Organization
- Are you drowning in a sea of digital photos, struggling to keep your phone’s camera roll organized and free from endless duplicates? We’ve found a fantastic solution! Here’s a link to the Gemini Photos app, which I’ve been loving for efficiently sorting and culling down the vast number of pictures on my phone. This intelligent app streamlines the entire process by grouping similar shots together and intelligently suggesting that you keep only the “best” one – along with any photos you’ve already favorited or edited. The true magic lies in its ability to then allow you to delete all the unnecessary duplicates and subpar shots with a single click. This functionality makes the daunting task of photo management surprisingly stress-free, freeing up valuable storage space and leaving you with a beautifully curated collection of your most cherished memories.
Tools & Finds We’re Loving Right Now
- Introducing my new favorite DIY companion, the StudBuddy stud finder, captured here in action during a recent project at the duplex. What makes this tool truly remarkable is its brilliantly simple design: it’s purely magnetic, relying on strong magnets to detect the metal screws and nails within your walls, rather than complicated electronics. This means no batteries, no calibration, and incredible reliability every single time. It takes all the guesswork out of hanging shelves, art, or anything else that requires a solid anchor point. I even took a video demonstrating its effortless operation, and I’m hoping to convince Sherry to post it to our IG Stories this week so you can see this unassuming yet indispensable tool in action!
- And for those with sensitive skin, Sherry has discovered her new holy grail sunscreen: Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen. Finding a sunscreen that provides effective protection without causing breakouts or irritation can be a real challenge, especially for delicate facial skin. This particular formula has proven to be a game-changer for her. Its liquid-lotion consistency is incredibly light, non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), and it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It offers robust sun protection while feeling comfortable and nearly invisible on the skin, making it an essential part of her daily skincare routine.
If you’re ever searching for a product or recommendation we’ve enthusiastically shared in a previous episode, but can’t quite recall which show notes to delve into, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a master list of everything we’ve been digging from all of our past episodes, a comprehensive resource for all our favorite finds. You can also explore all the insightful books we’ve recommended over the years on our dedicated Book Club page.
Finally, we extend a huge thank you to Agility Bed for their generous sponsorship of this episode. Their support helps us continue to bring you valuable content. Don’t miss out on their fantastic offer: use the exclusive code YHL at AgilityBed.comto get an amazing $200 off any size of their innovative hybrid mattress. Experience the perfect blend of comfort and support for a truly restful night’s sleep!
Thanks for tuning in and being such a fantastic audience, everyone!
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