An Evening of Inspiration and Awkwardness: My Unforgettable Meet-and-Greet with DIY Royalty

For those who appreciate a peek behind the curtain of the blogging world, this post offers just that. It’s an honest, slightly self-deprecating account of my inherent awkwardness when encountering fellow bloggers whose work I deeply admire. If behind-the-scenes narratives aren’t your cup of tea, feel free to skip ahead; a conventional DIY update will be waiting for you tomorrow. For now, prepare for a candid dive into the world of blogger meetups, fan moments, and the occasional wrinkled shirt dilemma. Enjoy the journey!

I’ve often mentioned how sparse my collection of design books is. A few months prior, I was fortunate enough to snag a copy of ‘The Handbuilt Home’ at a signing with the incredibly talented Ana White. So, when news broke that John & Sherry Petersik, the dynamic duo behind the immensely popular blog Young House Love, were making a stop in Atlanta for their book tour, I knew it was an event I simply couldn’t miss. Their journey and infectious personalities have been a profound source of inspiration for me, ultimately nudging me to embark on my own blogging adventure. While much of the credit goes to my dear friend Lauren, who adamantly insisted that blogging was a far better alternative to perpetually forgetting which friends I’d already subjected to my house renovation stories, Young House Love certainly paved the way for envisioning a successful, relatable DIY platform.

My first encounter with John and Sherry was the previous year, at the Haven conference, also held in Atlanta. I remember being utterly floored when Sherry confessed she had actually seen my blog before. The surprise rendered me incredibly awkward, a state that seems to be my default around blogging idols. Despite my fumbling, I managed to snap a quick photo with them, content in my role as a happy, albeit slightly clumsy, fan. That brief interaction left a lasting impression, fueling my aspiration to one day achieve a fraction of their widespread reach and community engagement. It’s always surreal to connect with people who have shaped your creative path, even if the conversation doesn’t quite live up to the elaborate scenarios you’ve replayed in your head.

The Atlanta Book Tour Stop: A Chance for Redemption?

With the Young House Love book signing scheduled for last week in Atlanta, I harbored a quiet hope that I might somehow redeem myself from my previous awkward encounter. For those yet to discover it, their fantastic new book is titled – drumroll, please – “Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love”. The event was held in the vibrant Midtown area of Atlanta, just a stone’s throw from Ikea (where, coincidentally, I had been the night before, gathering inspiration for my own home projects). The venue was Flor, a name I first encountered back in 2011 during the Solar Decathlon home competition in Washington, D.C. Flor specializes in innovative carpet tiles, offering homeowners and designers the flexibility to create custom rugs, runners, and wall-to-wall installations with remarkable ease. Their modular concept is undeniably ingenious, allowing for quick changes, repairs, and endless design possibilities. However, I often find myself pondering their long-term durability and how well they withstand the rigors of everyday life, especially in high-traffic areas, a question that lingers in the back of my DIY-oriented mind.

Braving the Elements: Atlanta’s Unexpected Winter Chill

It seems John and Sherry have a peculiar habit of bringing their local weather with them on their book tour. For Atlanta, that meant a rather unwelcome blast of cold rain and biting wind. It was absolutely, unequivocally freezing. I know, I know – us Atlantans often get ribbed for our inability to “tough it out” in colder temperatures. And it’s true; once you grow accustomed to the city’s generally warm climate, even a slight dip in the thermometer can transform you into an unprepared wuss. It’s an inexplicable phenomenon that affects even those of us, like myself, who were born in much colder climes like Wisconsin. The wind seemed to cut right through layers of clothing, making the wait outside particularly challenging. The anticipation of meeting blogging heroes was tempered by the immediate need for warmth and shelter, creating a somewhat comical juxtaposition of excitement and shivering discomfort.

The Long Line and the Lifesaving Line Buddy

The line for the signing snaked its way around the building, eventually spilling into an adjacent, empty office space. After a full day of work and a tedious battle through Atlanta’s infamous rush-hour traffic, I considered myself incredibly lucky to have arrived just before the signing was slated to begin. Initially, a wave of dread washed over me as I contemplated how I would pass an hour standing idly in the cold. Fortunately, my foresight had paid off; the day before, I had posted on my blog asking for a “line buddy,” and I was immensely grateful when one of my dedicated readers, Ellen, showed up. Her presence was a godsend, allowing us to take turns for much-needed bathroom breaks and quick dashes to the fro-yo shop next door. Having not eaten all day, that frozen yogurt felt like a gourmet meal, and I can’t thank Ellen enough for her kindness and companionship. We spent the majority of our wait time engaged in lighthearted banter, cracking jokes about accounting (Ellen, a local university professor, had plenty of material) and recounting our various home project mishaps – because, apparently, that’s what the cool kids in line for a book signing do these days. As the line slowly progressed towards the front of the building, the Flor staff, ever the gracious hosts, began distributing treats, offering a much-appreciated sugar boost to combat the chill and fatigue. They were also incredibly accommodating when I pulled out my phone for a few photos, understanding the collective desire to capture the moment.

My Moment with Young House Love: The Wrinkled Shirt Saga

Once inside the warmth of Flor, the organizers truly exceeded expectations. They had drinks! Not just water, but actual beer and wine. I hadn’t realized this was going to be a party, but I certainly wasn’t complaining. My immediate relief was simply being able to thaw my “icicle toes,” but the thoughtful gesture of providing refreshments was incredibly appreciated. It’s amazing how forgiving cold, tired people can be when offered complimentary libations. I waited patiently for Ellen to get her book signed and her pictures taken before stepping up to the signing table myself. I managed a cheerful “hello” to John and Sherry, and then… it happened again. My brain, perhaps dulled by exhaustion – a state that seems to have become my permanent companion lately – completely drew a blank. We ended up discussing, of all things, my wrinkled shirt. Sherry, ever gracious, quickly pointed out that its color was “grellow,” the same shade they famously painted their kitchen. My mind, however, was still fixated on the fact that I had been late for work that morning and hadn’t had a chance to iron it. The shirt still bore the tell-tale creases from being folded and shipped, fresh out of its package (#represent). There was no eloquent blogger-to-blogger discourse. For some reason, it felt incredibly disingenuous to self-promote in that specific situation; it felt like it would sound forced and opportunistic if I simply launched into a monologue about my blog. I was there as a fan, pure and simple. So, I just offered another “hello,” made a few quirky remarks about my unkempt attire, and one of the attentive Flor staff kindly snapped a picture with my phone. The downside? The photo came out quite fuzzy, and my hair, thoroughly windblown from the wait outside, looked utterly wild. But perhaps that’s just an accurate, albeit unflattering, capture of the awkward charm of the moment. And what’s with my tiny head in that picture?

A Double Dose of Blogging Royalty: Katie Bower’s Surprise Appearance

After my brief, self-consciously awkward interaction, I found myself instinctively gravitating back into line. Primarily, because the next segment of the queue was leading directly towards the bar. But there was another compelling reason: a delightful surprise in the form of Katie Bower, of Bower Power Blog fame, who had made an unexpected appearance in another part of the room. And not only Katie, but her husband Jeremy and their brand-new baby, Weston, were there too! For those who follow my Instagram and Facebook, it might not have been a complete shock, as I enthusiastically shared the news there. However, I genuinely hadn’t anticipated any of them being present, and the realization filled me with genuine excitement. After all, I had previously had the distinct pleasure of hosting a Pinterest Challenge with both Katie and Sherry. Now, I was faced with the thrilling, albeit terrifying, prospect of making a total dork of myself in front of *both* of them in person. Score! My internal monologue was a mix of giddy fan-girl excitement and a renewed sense of impending social awkwardness.

Photo Booth Fun and the Humorous “Trifecta”

Before reaching the end of the line (and my next inevitable awkward encounter), there was a fantastic little photo booth setup. By this point, I’d had just enough wine to feel emboldened to make some truly funny faces. (For those keeping count, that’s approximately less than half a glass, so it might have simply been that my brain was finally warm again and I was starting to relax). So, Ellen and I enthusiastically stepped in and unleashed our silliest expressions. Unsurprisingly, her photos turned out *way* better than mine. I, on the other hand, simply looked confused, a little crazy, and perpetually hungry. Truly, that’s the photo-ruining trifecta right there. Oh, and in one of them, I even did a duckface. Yes, really. What. the. frass. The photo booth provided a much-needed moment of levity and candid amusement, a perfect break from the more formal aspects of the event. It’s these small, spontaneous moments that often become the most memorable takeaways from such gatherings, reinforcing the sense of fun and community that often underpins the DIY blogging world.

Connecting with Katie Bower: Big Fish, Small Pond Reflections

Do you follow Katie’s blog? If not, you should! She is utterly adorable and, like me, calls Georgia home. Katie even has her own feature within the YHL book (which she was signing for everyone, adding another layer of personalized charm to the event). Jeremy, her husband, and their second little boy, Weston, were also there, and let me tell you, this kid is completely adorable. He wasn’t particularly interested in taking a photo with me, but his cuteness was undeniable. It was during my chat with Katie that I finally fessed up to being a fellow blogger. That’s always the peculiar part of these interactions, isn’t it? You know other blogs intimately, they *might* know yours, and there’s this slightly weird dynamic until you start piecing it all together. “Oh, right! I know your face!” it often feels like. Plus, let’s be honest, we’re talking about *big* fish in the blogging ocean here. My blog, The Ugly Duckling House (UDH), is still relatively small in comparison. I’m still in the world of being utterly stunned to have even been nominated for a Homie award – these folks, on the other hand, sailed through all the rounds, won, and oh yeah, landed *book deals* (which are incredibly well-deserved, by the way!). So, I’m genuinely surprised any time someone has even heard of the UDH. I particularly loved Katie’s self-deprecating humor when she quipped that only ten people read her blog. That humble liar! For anyone wondering, Katie is just as sweet, funny, and genuine in person as she comes across online. And she shares my awkwardness when it comes to posing for pictures, often unsure where to put her hands (she even struck a cheerleader pose for another fan, which was utterly endearing). It’s moments like these, connecting with the people who inspire you, that truly underscore the vibrant, supportive, and sometimes hilariously relatable community that is the DIY blogging world.

Forging New Connections and Looking Ahead

After all the excitement and delightful encounters, I eventually made my way out, bidding farewell to my new line buddies. It’s always a pleasure to meet fellow local DIY enthusiasts, and this evening was no exception. I even met another lovely Katie, who has a fascinating new blog called Deranchification. Her explanation for the unique name – that all the “good” blog names were already taken – genuinely cracked me up, and I’ve already learned about a new tool from her this morning! Just before I completely broke away from the remaining queue, a truly surprising moment occurred: someone actually recognized my face! It was Rhiannon, another wonderful reader who frequently follows my updates via my Facebook page. She was incredibly sweet, and being recognized unexpectedly like that always provides a heartwarming boost, a tangible reminder that my words and projects resonate with others. Of course, once back home, it was back to the familiar routine (at 10 p.m., this is just the typical rhythm of life at my house), filled with the quiet satisfaction of a successful, if slightly awkward, evening.

This memorable evening seamlessly brings me to my next Dueling DIY update, which you can look forward to tomorrow. Be sure to check in and see how things are progressing on our respective projects. Kit has been diligently working on her donkey barn this week, so I’m genuinely curious to see how far she’s managed to get with her stairs. I absolutely can’t wait to share and see everyone else’s latest updates and DIY triumphs!