Dear Wendy readers are some of the most intelligent, stylish, super cool people around (it’s a proven fact), so when a commenter suggested I create a regular feature for them to recommend some of their favorite products, it was a no-brainer and Reader Recs was born. Today’s recommendations come from CSP (Caroline) who lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband of 7 years. She’s an IT Recruiter who loves playing tennis, traveling near and far, and undertaking DIY home projects. Her favorite pastime is being a tourist in her own town. Keep reading for some of CSP’s favorite things.
1. Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love Hardcover
As a home owner, I am always trying to find ways to spruce up my house on the cheap. This book has a bunch of project ideas to make your house a home. Everyone who looks at this book ends up buying it, and the hardcover is only $15. Having a book to look at makes the projects easier compared to following them on Pinterest.
2. Pivoting Head Facial Trimmer
I have facial hair — and not just upper lip and brows but also on the side of my face. I’d tried everything, and then I found this product, which is great. It cuts back the hair to make it thinner. There’s no stubble and it doesn’t hurt like waxing. It’s great if you need a quick touch-up before you run out. I hate when I am about to go to work and see stray hairs on my chin, but this takes care of that problem.
3. GEFU Spirelli Spiral Slicer
Do you hate carbs? I know I do. So I found this spiral slicer turns zucchini — and other produce — into long strands like spaghetti. You just spin the produce — it’s that easy and amazing. After I use it, I heat up the zucchini in a pan and then add Rao’s Arrabiata sauce and meatless meatballs. It is great and much lower in calories than pasta. Totally worth it, in my book.
4. Benefit They’re Real Mascara
I came across this mascara by accident. I walked into Sephora and a salesperson said everyone loved this, so I bought it. And it is amazing. It creates the longest-looking eyelashes ever. If you are looking for a subtle look, this is not for you. This is for making your eyelashes touch your eyebrows. It is cheapest on Amazon.
5. Tweezerman No-Slip Skin Care Tool
Another weird thing I need to admit: I get blackheads, and I am obsessed with getting rid of them. I saw this product on Dr. Oz and bought it. You can extract the blackhead without hurting the skin around the blackhead. It’s gross, but amazing.
Thanks, CSP!
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csp April 24, 2014, 12:05 pm
IT is so embarrassing that I admitted to Blackheads and facial hair in one post 🙂
Morgan April 24, 2014, 12:10 pm
I’m buying both those things at now, so thanks
csp April 24, 2014, 12:28 pm
I feel better then.
Banana April 24, 2014, 12:30 pm
Ditto. I joke that I have a “girltee” on my chin and lip. I’ve been looking for something affordable to manage it — sometimes I Nair, but I have sensitive skin and it’s always a gamble whether that will result in an epic breakout. It would be nice not to spend hours per week plucking.
Christy April 24, 2014, 12:41 pm
Try threading? I’ve considered trying the threading place in Union Station, but for now I get waxed up in Baltimore. She’s been waxing my eyebrows since I was 12!
Banana April 24, 2014, 12:55 pm
I’ve thought about threading, too. I think I’d like to go to a salon where there’s a little more privacy because I’d feel really exposed having my face done out there in Union Station in front of all the people! I think Tammy’s on Penn Ave might do it…
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:04 pm
omg this is so embarrassing but I pluck my chin hairs at work ha I am sick. Also I am the ONLY person I know that has chin hair, of all my friends. I am glad to know I am not the only one out there.
MaterialsGirl April 24, 2014, 1:14 pm
i literally have one chin hair and one cheek hair that i have to pluck out every 2-3 weeks. it’s so random
No Pants April 24, 2014, 1:20 pm
I keep tweezers in the car so I can pluck at stop lights 😀
Ladybug April 24, 2014, 1:39 pm
I get my eyebrows threaded at a little salon, and I love it–so much better than waxing or trying to pluck them myself. If you’re willing to roam as far as old town Alexandria, check out Eyebrow Express. They’ll thread anything on your face.
GiantPoodle April 24, 2014, 3:42 pm
This place sounds perfect, but I am in Fredericksburg and that just seems sooooo far away!
I Nair my upper lip, but I pretty much have to force myself to do it because it smells awful… And waxing always makes me break out! I tried an epilator, and that breaks me out so badly that it looks like an allergic reaction. (Which I guess is okay, since I just pretend that I did indeed have an allergic reaction, rather than a bad experience removing my lady-face-hairs.)
kerrycontrary April 24, 2014, 1:41 pm
There’s a threading place in Cleveland Park that is supposed to be good.
csp April 24, 2014, 12:55 pm
Honestly, this works great. So I get these light hairs on the side of my face and then they are really bushy. But if I shaved, it would give me stubble. This thing just trims it. So full disclosure. I also use it on my toes and tops of my feet.
bethany April 24, 2014, 2:27 pm
ME TOO!
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 12:08 pm
OMG I love YHL!! Their book is awesome, we’ve already done a bunch of projects from it.
I’m intrigued by this veggie pasta thingie. I think we’d use it a fair amount.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 12:21 pm
Veggie pasta is awesome, especially in the summer if you have a garden and a ridiculous overabundance of zucchini/squash! It is much lighter and holds the sauce really well too!
csp April 24, 2014, 12:24 pm
So, I have found that is you buy an amazing pasta sauce, then it works. If you do so-so then it feels like all veggies.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 12:42 pm
I eat all veggies regularly so I’ll survive! We oddly love the Ragu Garden Combination spaghetti sauce. It totally goes against my no preservatives rule, but it’s tasty!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 12:43 pm
GG stole my comment! I love YHL better and just got the book the other day. Its inspiring me to curb shop and paint things, although I’ve done nothing yet.
Might get that veggie pasta thing – looks cool. Have a feeling I’d never actually use it, but whatever.
Peter got that blackhead thing and tried to come at me with it (because his perfect face has no blackheads, jerk). I hid it. Its in the top cabinet of the kitchen that no one can reach. Don’t tell him.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:05 pm
Yeah I make a fresh marinara but have also done it with an avocado cream sauce and a few different types of pesto. I also add a lot of cheese…but since its not actual pasta the cheese is okay. The avocado cream+goat cheese+veggie pasta combo is great
bethany April 24, 2014, 12:11 pm
My favorite Reader Recs to date!! Maybe because I love YHL, I have the mascara (wearing it now), I want that spiral slicer thing, and I could probably stand to by the facial hair thing, too!
bethany April 24, 2014, 12:11 pm
Oh yea, and the blackhead thing looks oddly fun.
csp April 24, 2014, 12:27 pm
honestly, the blackhead thing is great and it doesn’t hurt the pores around the offending blemish. It is gross but amazing.
No Pants April 24, 2014, 12:15 pm
I have the mascara and am wearing it now, too.
Copa April 24, 2014, 1:00 pm
Same! That’s my favorite mascara! 🙂 And I’ve been researching different spiral slicers recently and wishing someone would just tell me which one works for them, but do not know anyone IRL who uses one. Now I have a recommendation, yay!
csp April 24, 2014, 1:05 pm
so, I chose this one because it has a little thing that you can hold the vegetables so when you get close to the end, you don’t cut your fingers.
kerrycontrary April 24, 2014, 12:13 pm
Love the spiral slicer idea! And I’ll look into that mascara. Now if only I could apply false lashes without looking like a drunk disco queen.
Fabelle April 24, 2014, 12:38 pm
Yeah, the spiral slicer looks aweeeesome. I have a julienneer but I always wind up julienne-ing my fingers with that thing.
Copa April 24, 2014, 1:23 pm
Unsolicited falsies tip: cut a pair of “natural” looking ones in half and use half on the outer half of each eye only.
No Pants April 24, 2014, 12:16 pm
Yay, Philly Reader Recs two weeks in a row!
Morgan April 24, 2014, 12:17 pm
Also, the amount of peer pressure I feel about trying the benefit they’re real mascara is absurd. At this point I think I’m holding out on principle. Does literally everyone but me use it?!
bethany April 24, 2014, 12:18 pm
I don’t use mascara a lot, so I bought the teeny travel tube at ULta or Sephora. It was like $5 or something up by the register!
Also, someone on DW suggested it to me a long time ago, which is why I first bought it.
Morgan April 24, 2014, 12:24 pm
See, I’ve worn mascara since I was little (stage makeup), and I’m in love with the same almay mascara I’ve always used that totally does make it look like I’m wearing false lashes. (I was always supposed to wear falsies with my stage makeup, but I’ve yet to find an adhesive that doesn’t make my eyes swell half shut.) The last time someone recommended a mascara to me I absolutely hated it and went out and bought my drugstore stuff immediately. I’m pretty into trying new makeup and everyone raves about the benefit stuff, so maybe I’ll do what you did and get the little trial one! I need new primer anyway.
raptor April 24, 2014, 1:40 pm
What Almay do you use? My mascara routine involves like three different mascaras at any given time, and I love trying new ones.
Fabelle April 24, 2014, 12:25 pm
I have a free sample of it, but when that’s gone I think I’ll buy the whole tube. Mostly I like the brush—it separates the lashes really well & deposits color evenly along the lash line without smudging everywhere.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 12:49 pm
I thought you said you had no lashes like me. I guess that was someone else.
Banana April 24, 2014, 12:35 pm
I’m with you. After trying a bunch of fancier, more expensive mascaras and not being impressed, I’ve grow almost rabidly defensive/brand-loyal proud of using plain old Maybelline in the green and pink tube. I might give this stuff a shot, though, if I can find a cheap sample-size thingie of it somewhere. Sigh. Sephora is all the way in Georgetown, though, and I’m lazy.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 12:45 pm
Mmm M Street (its M street, right?). I want to live on the sidewalk there.
Banana April 24, 2014, 12:57 pm
I forget if it’s on M or Wisconsin, but yeah, right around there! The crowds freak me out, though. I’m not a crowd person (except at music fests). The sidewalks are so tiny and I always feel like I’m precisely in the middle of everyone’s way. But I love all the stores. And there are so many cute little places to alight for a cocktail or a cup of tea. (I’d only daydrink there, though, Georgetown nightlife is douchey.)
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 1:00 pm
There’s a restaurant there that is my top 3 – Filomena’s. Have you been?
Georgetown is the ONLY “city” I’ve visited where I thought, man, I could live here.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:08 pm
I LOVE Filomena’s my good friend used to be the GM there and I would eat free whenever I wanted!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 1:34 pm
Oh wow! Lucky you 🙂
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:51 pm
I know! And my great grandmother was named Filomena!
Banana April 24, 2014, 1:08 pm
I haven’t tried it! I’ll put it on my list of potential date nights. There are some very cute residential areas around there. I have a group of friends who all share a shockingly affordable house about a quarter of a mile away from the shopping/dining corridor. The HVAC is shit and it’s a bit worse for wear, but it’s an adorable old house with lots of cute details (and I’m a sucker for those — I’d take the bad insulation any day in favor of the hardwood floors and cute moldings). I almost moved in to an empty room there until I made the last-minute decision to stay on the Hill to be close to my boyfriend.
GiantPoodle April 24, 2014, 4:00 pm
I went to GW and one of my favorite activities was wandering the houses in Georgetown! So adorable.
But the Hill is also cute, and I am super jealous of my best friend’s rowhouse there that she shares with her boyfriend.
I miss DC. 🙁
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:08 pm
HA that is the Mascara I have always used too! I just don’t use mascara enough to pay so much for it. Although lately I have noticed that my face wash is dying my eyebrows this orangey blonde and I have really dark hair. Anyone have suggestions for dealing with this? They aren’t 100% maybe like 30% but it looks terrible and I hate it.
Banana April 24, 2014, 1:09 pm
YIKES, what is in your facewash that is so powerful it’s bleaching your eyebrows? I’d say my first instinct is: just change facewash!
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:33 pm
I am pretty sure its the benzoyl peroxide and I totally would but this is like the only thing that has worked thus far at containing and helping with my cystic and hormonal acne.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 1:34 pm
What’s the name of the facewash?
Banana April 24, 2014, 1:39 pm
I don’t doubt you’ve tried lots of things (and that’s why this is the product you alighted on) but…would you be willing to try just using a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil, and following up with a really good moisturizer? That was a big game-changer for my acne. Really harsh face washes can actually aggravate acne, and if it’s strong enough to bleach your eyebrows, it’s probably too harsh for sensitive skin.
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That said, if you really want to stick with that face wash, I’d just lightly run a dark brown eyeliner pencil through your eyebrows to darken them up a little.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 1:41 pm
Learned that the hard way. I once almost burnt my face off trying hardcore face stuff.
Banana April 24, 2014, 1:44 pm
Seriously, consider this — it’s really cheap too. Just get a thing of Cetaphil and a tub of Pond’s cream moisturizer (or, a cream moisturizer that’s dye and perfume free). Be prepared to commit to it for a month, because virtually any time you change your regimen it’ll probably cause a slight breakout as your skin adjusts. Just wash gently with the Cetaphil and your fingertips every morning and night and follow up with a generous application of Pond’s. Only exfoliate once or twice a week, using a washcloth. It will take a little while for your skin to adjust because it’s used to pumping out tons of oil in response to the really harsh, drying face wash you’re used to, but after that, things may settle out.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 1:48 pm
I did that for awhile like a year-Cetaphil and just moisturizer and it worked but I still would get occasional cystic acne and my hormonal acne wasn’t any better.I may go back to that, but with my brother’s wedding coming up any change will have to wait until after that. I know what I am using now-Clinque Acne Solutions is mostly just masking the problems but I have struggled with this so long, its nice to not have to worry about it as much now. also yeah I know I am doing a number on my face but the acne for me is like debilitating and not having to worry about it, like honestly amazing.
Banana April 24, 2014, 1:52 pm
I definitely sympathize with that feeling of relief — I struggled with really bad acne for over a decade and it felt so freeing to get to a point where I was confident in minimal makeup. If you can afford Clinique products, I’d really recommend their Daily Defense moisturizer. That, in combination with a gentle cleanser, was really great for me — though I understand everyone’s skin is different. I think we talked about this in a thread once upon a time, but have you tried going on an elimination diet to see if an allergy may be causing some of your acne? I discovered I break out every time I eat cheese. It’s heartbreaking because I love cheese, but I’ve also decided I’m okay with a few zits now and then if I want to indulge 😉
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:00 pm
Yeah I have a pretty strong feeling that it is a dairy thing and as I am almost 100% positive I am also lactose intolerant…both of my sisters are and I have all the symptoms all the time. The only dairy I eat is cheese and butter and I guess occasionally greek yogurt but gah its so hard not too. Like I just love cheese. I went raw for a month a year or so ago-so not quite elimination but did not eat any cheese or other dairy and did notice a huge improvement in my skin tone and no cystic acne.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:01 pm
Also I have been looking for a new moisturizer! I may try that Clinique. I have always used Aveeno and I just am kind of over it.
Banana April 24, 2014, 2:10 pm
Sounds like you have your answer right there. Give up cheese and you can go back to using a gentle cleanser, or keep eating cheese and use the really harsh one. I love cheese too, but I actually found that if I just keep it as an occasional treat, not a regular, multi-times-a-day part of my diet, the resulting acne is not horrible. My cystic acne cleared right up, and the flare-ups following a cheese-eating day weren’t as bad once I’d eliminated it from my regular diet — maybe one zit, or something. So you might want to try eliminating it entirely for a month or two, and then allowing yourself a treat once in a while after that.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:20 pm
blegh you are like the good angel and I just want to listen to the bad cheese angel sitting on my shoulder waving a cheese flag. I have tried in the past 2 months to give it up unsuccessfully but maybe okay just starting after this weekend I will go cold turkey.
Fabelle April 24, 2014, 2:24 pm
Bad cheese angel, hahah.
Also, I always forget butter is dairy. I’ve also been trying to at least minimize dairy (also for skin reasons), but butter never registers in my mind as being dairy. Ughh
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:26 pm
@Fabelle I know and I LOVE butter, like real butter. Notice how I put the “after the weekend” caveat in there… ha I really do need to though.
raptor April 24, 2014, 1:44 pm
So, I have the same issue, and I use the Just For Men beard dye to darken my eyebrows. I put vaseline around my brows to make sure my skin doesn’t get dyed as well.
I know you’re not supposed to dye anything on your face, because the dye could get into your eyes, but I’ve never had any problems with dripping.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:02 pm
I may try this! I know some people intentionally bleach their brows if they are too light, the discoloring is not terrible it just looks so off to me.
bethany April 24, 2014, 2:29 pm
When I used to dye my hair red, I’d always put some on my brows. Never had a problem. I just dipped a q-tip in some of the dye and put rubbed it on.
CatsMeow April 24, 2014, 9:39 pm
Believe it or not, I JUST tried that mascara. And of course I love it! I have the sample size right now and will probably get the big one when I run out. Since I’m poor, though, I only use it on days I’m going somewhere other than school or clinicals, and on the other days I use Clump Crusher, which I maintain is the absolute best drugstore brand.
Amy April 24, 2014, 12:37 pm
I love YHL too!!!!! I just bought the spiral slicer! I always end up with an exorbitant amount of squash – I can’t wait to try it!!!
Christy April 24, 2014, 12:42 pm
Did y’all see that YHL is going to start posting less? Thoughts?
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 12:45 pm
NO. Are you sure its not just because they just had the baby or are they saying forever?
bethany April 24, 2014, 12:52 pm
new post today explains it.
Ella_ April 24, 2014, 12:46 pm
I like YHL wayyyyyy less than I used to, so I think if this means that their posts will go back to the quality that they used to be, that would be great! It has seemed sort of like they’re phoning it in with the new house, to me, in a lot of ways, so I’d rather read fewer, better posts.
bookie April 24, 2014, 1:03 pm
Totally agree. I used to love them, but since they moved to house 3, they’ve gone down hill. And. HATE the decisions they made in the show house. Hopefully they step up the quality game if they’re slowing down the posts.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 1:05 pm
Oh no! I loved the show house. I want to redo the office and completely copy their’s.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 1:13 pm
I love the show house too. It was a little too pink for me, but swap in a coral or red and it would be perfect.
bookie April 24, 2014, 1:47 pm
I think it moved away from the DIY aspect and went too far into the design world. So even though I didn’t LOVE their design aesthetic, I could totally apply it! They’re still doing some DIY, like the counters, but it seems like a family/design blog instead of diy.
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Have you looked at Jenna Sue’s blog (jennasuedesign.blogspot.com)? I also don’t love her design, but she’s awesome at the diy tutorials and I can totally apply it to my own likes.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 1:55 pm
Well, I don’t think you’ll love where it heads then, since they said they will be combining the family blog and home blog. And I don’t really feel like they’ve stopped/slowed with the DIY, but of course we don’t have to agree! I actually don’t read them primarily for the DIY, I really like lifestyle aspect.
Bookie April 24, 2014, 2:02 pm
Yeah–I don’t think I will either! I have a few other ‘lifestyle’ blogs that I love–they just are not it anymore! Although, I think they kind of said the same thing post Clara (about slowing down), and they still kept up a good pace. I think the 3-5 posts a week is good for them and their family.
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I really can’t put my finger on what’s annoyed me with them lately. Honestly, I read them and it’s like, 50% I love what I read, and 50% I can’t stand. I guess that’s how nearly everything goes, right? 🙂
Ella_ April 24, 2014, 3:55 pm
Ugh I did NOT like the show house. I liked some of the more architectural decisions but the furnishings and finishes just looked really thrown together to me, especially the kitchen and the master bathroom. The kitchen especially looked a lot less put-together than the typical show house, with the cabinets not going all the way to the ceiling, etc. From their post, they seemed overwhelmed at the end and just bought a bunch of random stuff to try to fill the house up.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 1:09 pm
Really? I don’t think that at all (about the quality). The subject has definitely changed some, and the tone is a little more formal/professional. But the quality of content seems similar.
Ella_ April 24, 2014, 3:56 pm
It just has seemed to me like there are fewer large projects and when there are, they drag the projects out into like ten posts when three would be enough. And a lot of Sherry’s crafts just look sorta sad to me. But, to each his own!
mylaray April 24, 2014, 2:02 pm
Yeah I read YHL everyday and have their book and I genuinely love reading about their family and think they’re a cute family. But, they don’t know much about design and it’s embarrassing. I wish they would take some classes. I like some of their posts and they do have lots of ideas. I’m actually glad they’re hopefully heading more towards lifestyle because that’s what I like about them. I’m a designer and everyone at work makes fun of me for reading them. I really do want them to be good though.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:06 pm
Them not having real knowledge of design is sorta what I love about it. Makes it seem more like me doing it – trial and error too. But I could see if I actually had a clue about design, it would bug me.
It’d be cool if you did a blog saying what they’re doing wrong per real design.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 2:16 pm
Yeah, I like it because I’m not a designer, and I like reading about their trial and error (in addition to their family). I don’t really think professional designers are their target market.
csp April 24, 2014, 2:46 pm
Yea, I agree. It is good ideas for people who can’t afford a designer.
bethany April 24, 2014, 3:08 pm
What kind of stuff have they done that you think is embarrassing? I really like their design style!
mylaray April 24, 2014, 6:54 pm
The Moroccan painted table they did recently was awful. A lot of their small crafts have been bad (like a painted striped duck from way back). In general their design sense is bland, safe, and too trendy/copied too much from others. I think a lot of things they do look really nice at first but taking a closer look, they lack cohesiveness and consistency. I’m a graphic designer and not an interior designer so I don’t claim to know everything about interiors but design is design. And I do think the blog is still good for people not really into design but it still irks me so much seeing any sort of bad design (I can’t help it), and I wish they would try and learn some basic principles of design when this is their job and passion. It’s one thing as a hobby to not really know what you’re doing but they make so much money off of it. I know I sound like I’m trashing them but I actually really love them. They have tons of helpful and informative posts, which have been a huge help for me when doing projects on my condo, and I love how real and down to earth they are. It makes them accessible, and I trust they know what they are doing when it comes to building and how to do things, but I don’t trust their design instinct.
bethany April 24, 2014, 12:48 pm
I’m all for it. Posting more than once a day always seemed a little silly to me. I think 1 post M-F would be great. I don’t want them to overextend themselves and then quit!!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 12:48 pm
Shhhhh! Wendy might hear you! (about the more than once a day thing, not overextending herself)
Christy April 24, 2014, 1:04 pm
They only post 6x/week! Five weekday posts plus one giveaway. I’m just saying, I really like knowing that I can check them every weekday at 10:05 and see a new post.
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That’s interesting about the quality assessment. I didn’t read them before last year or so–when they’d already bought the new house. They’ve seemed more frazzled, but what would you say is different about the posts?
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 1:12 pm
6 times a week is a lot when you consider how much back work goes into each post. Like a dresser re-do post could easily take 6 hours of dresser work, plus IDK 2 hours typing/editing/photographing…so 8 hours for just the Monday post, plus all the time they reply to comments, work on other projects (books, show houses, the hook line)…I bet they are SUPER busy. I’ll easily take 3 posts a week over them being over extended.
Banana April 24, 2014, 1:16 pm
I found it really fascinating when a blog I read linked to a post by a food blogger about how much work goes into one of her posts. (Food blogs are my favorite procrastination device.) She’ll experiment with a recipe, sometimes cooking it several times until she gets it just right — something delicious that is also a bit different from the other standard recipes out there. (There are lots of food bloggers who post really standard, no-brainer stuff or even COPY recipes directly out of cookbooks instead of inventing their own, which is a bummer IMO.) Then, after she gets it right, she’ll cook it ONE MORE time for the pictures. That’s a lot of work just for one post, and I imagine doing a recipe is still less time-consuming than refurbing furniture or other big DIY projects.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 1:23 pm
They’ve done a few posts about what goes into one of their posts
http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/09/blogiversary-iv-anatomy-of-a-post/
IDK, their life looks crazy. I’m all for a step back.
Dear Wendy April 24, 2014, 1:57 pm
I don’t know, those day-in-a-life posts kind of make me roll me eyes a little? I am not a regular YHL reader, so maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. BUT I am a stay-at-home blogger with a toddler, so I know a little bit what that life is like. Granted, my posts don’t take anywhere near as much work (on avg., I’d say one post is about one hour of work, though some — like updates — can be as little as 15 minutes and some — like personal essays or, oh my God, gift guides, can take hours and hours… or days), and I don’t have as many emails and reader comments and questions to reply to maybe — although, i moderate comments myself and as you know, there are anywhere from 100-300 comments a day just on the main page (I also keep an eye on forum comments too), but I manage to do everything in about 20 hours a week. And I do it by myself (for the most part. My mom proofs and copyedits everything and Drew sometimes helps with tech stuff and, of course, video editing). I have child care help 14 hours a week and the rest of the time I squeeze in work during jackson’s naps. I keep evening and weekend work to a minimum (maybe 2 hours max on the weekends and as needed one or two evenings a week, usually when Drew is out).
I mean, yeah, blogging can be a ton of work, for sure, and the bigger your blog gets, the more work it is. And, of course, any week when I have tech issues, the time commitment and energy drain is much bigger. But blogging is also as much work as you want it to be (as YHL peeps know since they are changing their posting schedule). Plus, you don’t have to commute. And if you are a full-time, two-person team, then, wow, that must be nice!
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 2:18 pm
We should all do “day in the life of” journals. I think the subject is so interesting.
Banana April 24, 2014, 2:20 pm
That would be a super cool series of guest posts!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:29 pm
Here’s mine:
wake up
smoke with coffee
pretend to work
go home
eat
drink
eat again
Its all so exhausting.
va-in-ny April 24, 2014, 3:02 pm
Pretending to work is actually pretty exhausting! (not sarcastic here, speaking truth)
Christy April 24, 2014, 2:30 pm
Wendy, I think a big reason their blog eats their life is that they respond to comments! Every day! Every time someone asks them a question! That seems like an insane amount of work to me, and it seems like that would be a natural area to cut back on.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 2:42 pm
They did mention they where going to cut back on that too. Honestly, I’d be surprised if they went all the way down to 3 posts a week. It is their livelihood after all. I bet it will be like 4, or quickly creep back up to 5.
csp April 24, 2014, 2:49 pm
You are right, some of it is a little much. But also, they are a design blog. So if they have to strip a whole room of wallpaper or lay the hardwood floor for the upstairs, and try and do it for a posting deadline, I think that is where the stress is.
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:31 pm
So I just am an occasional surfer of YHL but just read their post about scaling back and it actually makes me want to go to their site more. I totally love that they aren’t in the blogging world chasing fame (a lot of people blog solely to get famous from it or so it seems) and even though they have reached this level of success are totally like, no our quality of life is more important than money or more books or more site hits. and GAH I love that so freaking much. So they just gained a reader.
Holly April 24, 2014, 12:43 pm
I use that blackhead tool! I may be a bit rough on my face, though, because it’s made the skin on my nose peel quite a bit.
csp April 24, 2014, 12:57 pm
So Dr. Oz said that if you have to dig with it then you shouldn’t go after something. But if you lightly scrape then all the junk pops out. It is like a biore strip.
Sara April 24, 2014, 12:58 pm
The spiral slicer looks great! Do any of you have a recommendation for an inexpensive mandolin slicer? We finally are staying put in one place – together! – for the whole summer, so we joined a CSA. I think the spiral slicer and a mandolin will both be good tools to have.
csp April 24, 2014, 1:06 pm
I bought the Cuisinart one and like it a lot. it was middle of the road cost wise and is very sturdy.
Sara April 24, 2014, 1:14 pm
Thanks!
call-me-hobo April 24, 2014, 1:25 pm
I think this is the best reader rec so far! I LOVE “They’re real” mascara, and when I’m running low on funds, I just buy drug store mascara and use the TR brush in it. Almost as good as the real thing, and definitely better than the brush that came with.
csp April 24, 2014, 1:49 pm
Thanks 🙂
LlamaPajamas April 24, 2014, 2:05 pm
I don’t wear makeup regularly but I’m pinning this mascara for my wedding day! And I love the hair removal suggestion. I found a gentle buffer that worked wonders years ago, but no one seems to sell it anymore. I don’t mind the peach fuzz on my neck but I prefer not to have a stache. And I thought everyone got weird little solitary hairs on their chin and neck?! My sister and I always joke about the “emergency tweezers” we keep in our offices because we always seem to find those hairs at work and then obsess about them all day.
call-me-hobo April 24, 2014, 2:24 pm
Heads up, LP- “They’re Real” is NOT a waterproof mascara. If you are a hot mess (like me- I cry at Disney movies) you will be rocking some raccoon eyes by the end of the ceremony.
LlamaPajamas April 24, 2014, 2:32 pm
Good to know! I was never much of a crier until my dad got sick, but now anything sets me off. I actually have an autoimmune disorder that causes me to produce way less saliva and tears than is normal, so my friends joke that I’m a robot because it’s difficult and really painful for me to cry. I have no idea what’ll happen on my wedding day – Llama Guy is already worried I’ll cry and have a headache throughout our honeymoon!
LlamaPajamas April 24, 2014, 2:33 pm
Oh shit, OUR wedding day. What’s happening to me? I book one wedding llama and all of the sudden I start turning into a Bridezilla who obsesses about her big day. Yikes.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:34 pm
Omg, is it sjogrens?
LlamaPajamas April 24, 2014, 2:35 pm
Yes! Do you have it too?
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:35 pm
No, but a close friend does. I’d never heard it before her and never knew anyone else wit it. Crazy!
LlamaPajamas April 24, 2014, 2:36 pm
It sucks! But the robot jokes are fun.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:38 pm
Yea, she jokes that she’s crying but I just can’t see it. Sorry to hear you have it too.
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:16 pm
darnit, csp, i bought 3 things. i really don’t need to be shopping right now!!!
csp April 24, 2014, 2:52 pm
Woo Hoo!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:28 pm
Its normal and healthy that I’m jealous everyone likes CSP’s better than mine, right?
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:32 pm
totally normal. this is why i won’t submit recommendations. the rejection will kill me. dramatically speaking. plus my recommendations would be lame. my top 5 recommendations would be: brie, camembert, roquefort, gruyere, and for all you food snobs, velveeta, that’s right, VELVEETA FOR THE WIN!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:35 pm
Its not like I’m crying or beginning to actively hate CSP or anything.
I like your list btw…way better than showoff CSP’s.
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:36 pm
it was really bitchy of csp to prance on the scene and make good recommendations. the nerve. now, you’re upset, I’m out $70 despite having no intentions of shopping today, and i’ve billed 0.0 hours the last 30 minutes. total bitch move.
theattack April 24, 2014, 2:48 pm
Hey AP, You bought a tote from a DW link recently, right? I just went through all the reader recs and didn’t see it. Do you remember where that was?
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:49 pm
Madewell transport tote.
theattack April 24, 2014, 2:53 pm
hahaha, Thanks, LBH! Did you buy it too? Or did you recommend it? I need a professional bag to take files to court in, but I want it to look purse-like like this one.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:54 pm
I already had it 🙁 Its a perfect for what you need.
Someone else recommended it – ktfran maybe.
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:56 pm
In the next deleted thread can you confess how much $ you spend on shopping a month? 🙂
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:53 pm
KTFrans
theattack April 24, 2014, 3:00 pm
Thanks. mucha!
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:54 pm
Yes, it’s that Madewell bag. It was one of ktfran’s recommendations
*
So far, here are all my DW rec purchases:
– From ktfran: the tote and the return address stamp (it’s soooo cute).
– From csp: the mascara, the spiral slicer thing, and the blackhead tool.
– From Wendy: the to-go wine mug, and an Old Navy skirt with stripes that oh em gee I wore every day last summer.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:56 pm
Wtf. You couldn’t have included one of mine just for fun?
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:57 pm
i promise i don’t even remember seeing yours!
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 2:58 pm
(we we sure you did one?)
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 3:00 pm
http://dearwendy.com/reader-recs-lbh-gets-us-started/
You should get everything!
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 3:03 pm
oh whoops i did see it – i even commented about being jealous! ha, i must have blocked it from my mind it was so traumatic for me.
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 3:08 pm
Alright, I looked at your stuff and I loved all your recommendations! But here’s why I couldn’t buy any:
*
1 – Candles, well, I was am not really a candles person though i like the idea of candles so i actually wanted to buy one but then, see, i was inbetween homes and didn’t want to accumulate more STUFF until I settled in my new home.
*
2 – Cute mugs, but I’m really picky – the lip of my mug has to be just right. I like thin-lipped mugs, and i like small mugs that i can cup with my hand so it almost all fits in my hand
*
3 – Only skinny girls can buy slim jeans online without even trying them on!
*
4-I love those water botttles but i have too many; i know b/c when i packed up my home i threw several away
*
5-I already have the batiste dry shampoo!
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 3:09 pm
but i promise to buy up all your next list of recommendations!
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 3:10 pm
You have a home now to store candles in!
Addie Pray April 24, 2014, 3:12 pm
yup – i’m on the candles!!
theattack April 24, 2014, 2:59 pm
Thanks, AP!
Wendy, if you see this, ktfran’s reader recs isn’t appearing under the gift guide –> reader recs section. Just thought you might want to know!
Dear Wendy April 24, 2014, 3:37 pm
Thanks.
csp April 24, 2014, 2:52 pm
Nice 🙂
theattack April 24, 2014, 2:36 pm
When are you doing another one, LBH? I assume you’ll have many lists.
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:39 pm
Haha, Wendy said she was gonna break up my list into parts because it was too long. Little does she know I already prepared my second list and I think its longer than the first.
theattack April 24, 2014, 2:41 pm
Haha, That’s awesome! Well I wish you could just come shopping with me, because I always want everything you post about. Does that make you feel any better?
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:45 pm
YES! Do you hear that bunny?
.
I would love to go shopping with/for you!
csp April 24, 2014, 2:54 pm
She said that because she didn’t know I was available 🙂
lets_be_honest April 24, 2014, 2:55 pm
Wendy, csp is picking on me!
Dear Wendy April 24, 2014, 3:41 pm
Play nice, girls.
theattack April 24, 2014, 2:57 pm
Hahaha csp, you can take me face shopping, and LBH, you can take me clothes shopping.
Very seriously thinking about buying the pasta thing on this one. I just don’t know if it’s the sort of thing that I’m only imagining myself using, or if I will actually use it.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 3:13 pm
Oooo can I take you home shopping! I did give you a great knife recommendation!
theattack April 24, 2014, 3:25 pm
Omg yes! Take me home shopping! I’ve purchased a new Kuhn Rikon knife every time I’ve been at TJ Maxx in the past few months. Those are some great knives.
GatorGirl April 24, 2014, 3:27 pm
I have…8 of them I think. Yeah 8. Yikes!
muchachaenlaventana April 24, 2014, 2:53 pm
Haha I was totally thinking how jealous you might be getting reading all the comments on this…