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The Weekender

Lake Michigan, our weekend with Yellow Brick Home

Our Tree House workflow ebbs and flows, but with a big backyard project coming up and a closet overhaul we’ve been noodling on for weeks, it’s safe to say that we’re back in the thick of it. During the one and a half hour drive from Chicago, I open our to-do list while Scott keeps his eyes on the road, and we talk about what’s coming down the pipe, what needs to be unpacked and what needs to be measured, photographed and organized. We watch the clock and time our drive just so, in the hopes that we’ll make it to Michigan before Lucy’s dinner, easing her into the transition from one time zone to another. As soon as she’s down for the night, we pour ourselves a drink, and we work.

In the midst of it all, it’s easy to forget to catch our collective breath. Of course we want Tree House to be a restful retreat, but it can be tough to shift our mindset from renovation to relaxation. In our DIY adventures, we feel a mix of excitement and nerves (the good kind) and pure exhaustion (because when do we stop?) and wanting to do it all (and right now!). So as a promise to ourselves and each other, we make it our goal to always stop, pause, and stare into Lake Michigan. We take off our socks and shoes. We choose beach stones for Lucy’s jar. We skip stones. It might be one of my very favorite feelings, to see the lake on one side and a forest of trees on the other.

Lake Michigan, our weekend with Yellow Brick Home

Sometimes, a fog will settle over the dunes and trees, and it is the prettiest sight to see. As luck would have it, I never have my camera on hand during these moments, but maybe that’s for the best? Maybe we should just see and appreciate? (Who am I kidding.) We’ve been chasing that elusive fog for weeks now; it’s my personal mission to create a physical memory. Maybe it would make a great photo for above the sofa?, we think. Something big, like this. (I’m so inspired by this foggy piece!)

Scott promises me that we’ll catch it soon, and my camera is stuck to my side, just in case.

What Else?

• I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect rain jacket for years, and I finally found The One. Maybe not so ironically, its name says it, well, perfectly. I took a risk and ordered the bright cerise (so cheery!) and sized up for a slightly slouchier fit. Watch out, gloomy weather! I’m ready for you.

• We visited Scott’s family over Labor Day weekend, and during the drive, we listened to the entire first season of Serial from the beginning, there and back. Although it was a re-listen for me, it was Scott’s first time! I’m curious, who listened to season 2? I started, yet it didn’t hold my attention in the same way. But! Season 3 – dropping next week (here’s the trailer)! – is taking a deeper dive into the criminal justice system, and we’re all there for it. (Speaking of podcasts, what are you listening to?)

Made us cry.

No, but seriously.

• Chris Loves Julia’s Propertee line relaunched! It’s witty, it’s sweet, and it gives back. Twist my arm, I ordered this one. T-shirts forever!

• We’ve been nominated by you and selected by Domino for their 2018 Design Blog Awards! Pinch. Us. You can find us (among amazing company) in the Modern Maverick category, which reads: Colorful and with a sense of character all their own. These mavericks relish in discovering and sharing new experiences that expand the imagination and foster a sense of community.

If we’ve ever written a post that you’ve found useful or left our corner of the web feeling that you really can do it yourself, then it would mean the world to us if you gave us a vote! Voting is quick and daily (so even if you’ve voted yesterday, you can vote again today), and it runs through the 23rd. We’ve received a lot of requests to share reminders in Stories, and I’ve also saved the link in a highlight! You can vote (and get lost in all the other great blogs) right here.

Happy weekend, all! My best friend from college is in town from Los Angeles, and she’ll be meeting Lucy for the first time. We plan on eating pie, enjoying the weather and not working even a little. What are you up to?

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  • Claire9.14.18 - 6:49 AM

    I listened to Serial season 2! I was super disappointed at the beginning because it was so different from season 1–it didn’t even feel like it should be called “Serial.” I stuck with it though and it was INCREDIBLY fascinating—I highly recommend giving it another shot! Once I let go of wanting it to be the same I actually found it much more intriguing and thought provoking. It was less about solving a mystery and really became more about your perspective on humanity.ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.14.18 - 7:07 AM

      Huh, that does sound interesting! Yeah, I kept wanting it to be like season 1, but it seems like they’re experimenting with all different themes, including season 3. Maybe we’ll go back to 2 after trying out 3!ReplyCancel

      • Kay9.14.18 - 9:39 AM

        Well said, Claire! I didn’t listen to it upon its immediate release (I too wanted more of the true crime angle and Season 2 isn’t that), but the reporting covers so much more than what it sets out to and does so in very poignant ways.ReplyCancel

  • Rachel9.14.18 - 8:25 AM

    Ohhhhh I was just telling people about Won’t You Be My Neighbor? last night. We saw it in the theater this summer and when the lights came up LITERALLY EVERYONE had tears in their eyes (some of us straight-up ugly cried…). Ahhh, it’s SO good!ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.14.18 - 10:25 AM

      I mean, the trailer alone has us in tears. It was so heartwarming and wonderful.ReplyCancel

  • nina9.14.18 - 12:20 PM

    -Voted. Good luck!
    -Lucy is so dang cute.
    -I listen to so many podcasts. Maybe too many. Top 3 at the moment: “Terrible, Thanks for Asking”, “Song Exploder”, and “Criminal”.
    -Finding the perfect rain jacket is crazy difficult. I hope it’s ‘the one’. I think Boden has such fun patterns and colors, but I tend to live only vicariously through others in my love of patterns and colors.ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.14.18 - 1:35 PM

      Thank you on all counts! Yes, agreed, I love pattern on others, just not myself as much. (Unless it’s stripes or plaid, haha!) I surprised myself that I fell in love with the red raincoat! It’s a good one.ReplyCancel

  • Jess9.14.18 - 1:38 PM

    Once I adjusted my expectations, season 2 of Serial was interesting. Not the best mini podcast series I’ve listed to, but not the worst. In The Dark is fantastic (2 seasons so far, each a different story, both quite devastating but important). S-Town was really good too (not true crime, but more of a character study). Dr Death is my current obsession, and the same people made Dirty John which was a really good. My all time favorite ongoing podcast is Criminal. They cover all different types of crimes and it’s so well done with a wonderful host.

    Very jealous of that misty Michigan lake. I’d love to see it someday! Your Tree House is looking stunning so far.ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.14.18 - 1:44 PM

      Taking so many notes. Thank you, Jess! (We loved S Town and Dirty John, so I know we’ll love your recs!)ReplyCancel

  • lak9.14.18 - 5:14 PM

    Just voted for you!!!! Will check out serial soon. Your baby is adorable!ReplyCancel

  • Cathy9.14.18 - 6:27 PM

    Years ago I was on 2nd shift and when I got up, the city was in a huge, thick cloud. I barely got dressed☺️Grabbed my camera( I don’t think I owned an iPhone yet) and took some of the best shots ever. I went to a local park that used to be a quarry and has a walking path around it. I saw a jogger out and caught her in one pic that is a favorite to this day. I was also into rubber stamp crafts and had one that said…” a misty morning does not signify a cloudy day” . I was able to add that sentiment in the corner of the photo and I still love it. Made a great card as well.
    Sure enough by 10:am or so you could see the fog rising off the water and by the time I left the sun was out in full September splendor. Photographing in fog is the best.ReplyCancel

  • Debra9.17.18 - 11:06 AM

    I finally fulfilled my years-long search for the perfect rain jacket and found a bright yellow slicker with a jaunty nautical strip lining at Modcloth. I’m so in love with it.ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.18.18 - 8:10 AM

      I LOVE the idea of a bright yellow raincoat! It’s a classic.ReplyCancel

  • Susan9.17.18 - 11:56 AM

    Given your Cincinnati connection, the Enquirer has a podcast series that is somewhat similar to the first season of Serial- Accused. Both seasons dealt with Cincinnati area unsolved cases, one case each season.ReplyCancel

  • Mrs Mike9.18.18 - 2:25 PM

    So another blogger I follow, who’s nominated for a different category, also posted and when I logged in to vote for her, I saw your nomination, and I’ve been voting daily for you. I absolutely love your blog! Good luck!! :)ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

Join us as we renovate and nurture vintage homes across Chicago + SW Michigan!

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