11.11.12

Highlight of my life...the YHL book tour

Posted by Christina // 59 Replies

Three years ago I ran across a blog.
Three years ago I don’t think I knew what a blog was.

I stalked John and Sherry Petersik’s wedding and home renovations for days….and those days then turned into everyday for three years.

I have followed their ups and downs and admired their ceramic animal collection from afar for a creepily long time.

So once the creators of Young House Love announced their book release, I prayed and prayed some more that they would visit somewhere within a ten hour driving radius.  I don’t like limits but I felt like 20 hours of driving might be pushing it if I wanted someone to come with me.
Then they said the magic words….Chicago.

Game over.

Then of course the nervous list making began.

So here’s the part where most people will think we’re crazy….we left on Friday night at eleven o’clock at night.  On three hours of sleep.  And drove six hours to Chitown.

I obviously don’t have any road-trippin pictures like I did here since it was night time.
But once we got there….well picture frenzy commence.

I called West Elm to make sure that we could get in since I was unable to RSVP when they announced the tour.  The girl was so sweet and told me to make sure I got there super early because some people might camp out, hence my boytoy’s loving text from yours truly.  We got there at 5:30 am and there was not a soul around.  And nothing was open.

I decided to set up camp since it wasn’t too cold and I needed to save my pep for meeting Sherry & John.

It didn’t stay lonely for long.
We met the most AMAZING people in line and we had a blast passing the seven hours of wait time. 

It was so nice to meet all of you, and everyone else that came to meet the crazy girl who showed up at 5am.
The Petersiks really do have the best fans.

West Elm was seriously amazing.
The store was gorgeous.
The people were fantastic.
Joanie and Jeromy, holy amazing.

I also found out, St. Louis is getting a West Elm next year.
I am going to start saving now.

The whole event was surreal, and sweet.

By the time this photo was taken of me enjoying my sweets, we had been there for a little over eight hours.
The line was wrapping around the building, and it was pouring.
Dedication….we got it.

It was so worth the wait.

It was one of the coolest days I have had in a long time.  John and Sherry are exactly how you would expect them to be….amazing.

So fun and happy, and the best part was all their fans are the same way.

I also ran into Nicole Balch from Making It Lovely, who also is a co-teacher in the e-course I took with Holly Becker of decor8. After I met Sherry & John I got to leave them a little note in their blank book that they bring to all the signings.  Talk about pressure, even my girl Roo has written in this book.

If you all really want to see me geeking out, just watch this video that Tim caught.

He is such a good man…I figured I owed him a little somethin somethin for you know staying awake for 26 hours, driving me to Chicago, feeding me chocolate when I wanted to crash, capturing the magic, and wiping my tears when we got outside and I realized that I just met Sherry and John.  Seriously, that happened.
 
Soooo…as promised.
Amendment:  As I was writing this post….this happened.
 
I am not going to deny getting up and doing the cabbage patch as soon as I read this….then I may have cried.
My life is seriously complete.
 
I have to send a HUGE, wet, sloppy kiss to @westelm and @younghouselove for hosting such an amazing shindig. 
 
It really was the best.

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Written by Christina and Tim

59 thoughts on “Highlight of my life…the YHL book tour”

  1. Katie

    OH MY GOSH YOUR BLOG IS SO CUTE!!!!!! This is Katie – who stood with you in line at West Elm for hours upon hours 🙂 All the way home I kept reminding myself that I needed to find Homemade Ocean asap, but catching back up with real life made me forget until I read my sister’s post just a couple of minutes ago (http://livesoverlap.blogspot.com/2012/11/young-house-love-meets-wright-girls.html). That whole entire day was so much fun – especially because we were seriously standing with such sweet people in line! Sherry and John were just the icing on the cake 🙂 And now I’m a Homemade Ocean follower for life!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      AAwwwwww yayyyy! I am so glad you came to visit!!! I was thinking on the way home that I wish I would have gotten everyone’s emails so we could all keep in touch. Everyone was so amazing and fun. I can’t wait to check out you all’s blogs 🙂

      I hope your mom had a great birthday, so happy I met you all!!!

      Reply ↓
  2. floridaysmom

    OMG!!! This is why I was instantly drawn to you and your blog… posts like this! You seriously crack me up Christina!! What an exciting day to meet John and Sherry, the celebrities of our blogging world. Too freaking cool. Your pic with them was my favorite part.. Your expression is priceless. LOL

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Hahaha….can I tell you how much I love you! Seriously 🙂

      It was incredible, and once I got done I couldn’t even remember what just happened so THANK GOODNESS Tim took a video!!! I am such a nerd, but at least I didn’t puke on them or something!

      Reply ↓
  3. Sarah

    Now I found your post too- this is Sarah, the sister with the scarf that waited in line with you. Love your blog, I’ll be a Homemade Ocean fan now too. So great Christina. I hope Ikea was great too!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Awww HI SARAH! So glad you found us!!!! It was so much fun meeting you and being all crazy nervous to meet John and Sherry with you guys 🙂

      I told Tim the whole way home how awesome it was to be able to talk to people who knows as much about them as I do haha!

      Reply ↓

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  5. Amy

    I ran across your blog through Twitter! I was at the book signing, but nowhere near first in line! How fun! Where did you hear STL is getting a West Elm?!?!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Hi Amy! Was that not the coolest day ever? Hopefully you were not outside in the rain! I felt so bad for everyone when it started storming.

      One of the managers, Jeromy (who was so superly amazing, seriously I can not say enough nice things about the staff at west elm) told me when we were sitting there that I think next summer it should be opening. Are you from St. Louis? We will need to plan shopping trips galore 🙂

      Reply ↓
  6. Amy

    I was lucky enough to be in line under cover, so I didn’t get wet. That thunder was crazy!! I am from St Louis and am super excited about West Elm coming here! I’ve been hoping for one for a while!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Oh good…the thunder was insane inside so I can only imagine what was going on outside! Craziness!!! At least it wasn’t freezing outside 🙂

      I was sooo in love with that store so I seriously can not wait till it opens here. I wonder where they are going with it? I’ll have to do some research!

      Reply ↓

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    1. Christina Post author

      Hey Rebecca! So happy to hear you were inside…I felt terrible for everyone out there with that LOUD thunder 🙂

      Thanks so much for visiting, can’t wait to read your version!!!

      Reply ↓
  10. Colleen

    You are hilarious and adorable!…Found your blog from John and Sherry post today…def. will be checking in on new things that you post!…I am from Richmond like John and Sherry are and I saw them in Target one day…it took me a good 10 to 15 mins of spying/ watching them to finally build up the guts to talk to them and like you I literally almost peed my pants….they are blog celebs!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Hahaha…you want to know how much of a creep I am…when we planned our East Coast Road trip, we went to Richmond just to see the town that the Petersik’s live in. At first it was kind of a joke but then we both decided that we really did wasnt to see Richmond so we ran with it. We did NOT go searching for their house (thanks to Tim hahaha)

      Thanks so much for visiting, can’t wait to talk more!!!

      http://homemadeocean.com/2012/10/east-coast-road-trip-the-big-finale/

      Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      I still cant find it 🙂 All I got is your email, I would love to see it though so can you try to link again.

      Did you go to any of the signings in Richmond?

      Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Ohhhh I love Columbia….you know you have a large Amish community right (sorry I am kind of obsessed with Amish…and Shakesperes Pizza)

      I am saving now for both haha…I cant WAIT to have an Ikea closer than 6 hours away. Makes for a cheaper U-Haul haha.

      Thanks for visiting, we need to plan an Ikea field trip 🙂

      Reply ↓
      1. Bri @ The Modern Parsonage

        I did know that – we have a guy that lives here that takes in ex-Amish, as well, if they choose to leave. Columbia is a town of many colors.

        Where’s the West elm going to be in St. Louis? I went to high school in Ballwin and my parents still live there so I already have an excuse to be in the area.

        Did you know there are at least two St. Louis companies that will go buy your Ikea orders and bring them back in their own trucks? I can’t believe they stay in business, but apparently Ikea has a big following in the Lou. Still, shopping online just isn’t the same when you miss out on the little clearance items you can only pick up from the store.

        Reply ↓
        1. Christina Post author

          Is it Mose? I always watch that show Amish Out of Order and he is ex-Amish and takes in anyone that decides to leave. I think that is so neat.

          I do not know where the West Elm is going, but you can bet as soon as I find out I will be posting about it!!!! I can’t wait 🙂

          Funny story…we actually live in Ballwin…what a small world!!!!

          And ohhhhhh nooooo, I can get Ikea delivered 🙂 we are in trouble now haha

          Reply ↓
  14. Trisha D.

    I too was at the Chi-town event, I left around 830 with some supportive friends and arrived around 1130 (three hour drive is petty to your six hours). We (on the other side of the glass) admired your effort when you sign-languaged us what time you got there. We also nicknamed you green sweater girl (nod to How I Met Your Mother)! You seem sweet, and I’m totally adding you to my list of blogs to stalk, er follow. Wish I would have had the nerve to go meet you. I’m currently in the middle of a blog redo (mine is small and needs some major work), but I hope to blog my YHL experience soon!

    P.S. I left a comment mentioning you on the YHL blog- page 3 I think.

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Was that not the BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE…you totally should have come and talked to me!!! The one thing I seriously realized from that day is that John & Sherry have the BEST fans ever.

      Ummmm please stalk away…Im sure I wwill return the stalking 🙂

      And I kind of am obsessed with the nickname Green Sweater Girl…I feel like a super hero (insert silly snort laugh here)

      Can’t wait to talk more!!!!

      Reply ↓
        1. Christina Post author

          Hahaha I understand…I also wish I could have held together a NORMAL smile instead of a big goofy gum filled grin. I couldnt even find a picture I liked becuase I just looked so star struck haha!!!!

          Reply ↓
          2. Christina Post author

            Yayyyy…I started to read it, but the photos dont show up on my work computer and I feel like I am really missing out! Silly “work rules”

            I will be chomping at the bit to get home and read it!!!! Maybe right before bed so I can dream about it all over again. Ok on a slightly creepy note….I did have dreams about John, Sherry, Clara and Burger for weeks before and after!!!! One night Tim caught me smiling in my sleep so he woke me up to ask what I was dreaming about and I told him I was at the Petersik’s house. I am not a weirdo at all hahahaha….sometimes I creep myself out!!!

          4. Christina Post author

            It soooo was….you are an amazing writer!!! Isn’t it funny how you feel like some bloggers really are your friends because you read about their lives so much? We talked about that a lot at the signing. How we talked about all our bloggers like they were our old buddies. It’s fine I love calling myself a stalker 🙂

  16. Brad

    I found my way over here from YoungHouseLove and now not only do I want to meet them… but I want to meet you, as well! My wife can agree that the way to any man’s heart is lots and lots of bacon.

    Reply ↓
  18. Oona

    Hey! I live in St. Louis, too. I just found your blog through YHL and love your “voice”. I’ll totally be blogstalking you in the future!

    I am super psyched about getting a West Elm here. I *may* have squealed when I read that. Out loud. At work. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Ohhhh girl….if you only could have witnessed my reaction when I found out haha…there may or may not have been a “watch me do the robot” celebration haha! But at least I wasn’t at work. I bet you looked silly….just kidding of course 🙂

      Yayyyy another blogger in the area, that makes me so happy!!!! And blogstalk away…I am sure I will return the favor hahaha.

      Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      DOOOOOO IT!!!! It wasss soooo beyond worth the drive! Not only were John and Sherry completely amazing….everyone you are in line with is equally awesome. It’s just so much fun 🙂

      Ohhh, I could use some Arizona heat right now it is quite chilly here in the Midwest! Thanks for stopping by…send some sun our way!!!

      Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Oh yea….it’s gonna be serious next summer! Between the Ikea in KC and West Elm here, I will be a spending machine. But the house will look AWESOME!!!

      So happy you paid us a visit, are you from the StL also? Where is your hood….

      Reply ↓

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  24. Jennifer

    I found your blog through YHL and live in STL too! So excited about WE! I love your blog so far. Gorgeous design and graphics. I look forward to reading more!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Awwww yayyy! Thanks so much for visiting…I am sooo happy to be finding so many local bloggers. We all need to get together and go to West Elm once it opens, it will be like a middle school field trip…I will even bust out my corduroy overalls for it. 🙂

      Reply ↓

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  26. Heather

    I found your blog through YHL and I seriously loved this post! I was laughing so hard I was crying. This of course is because that this is so going to be me in a few months when John and Sherry come to Charlotte, NC! I can so see my husband reacting the same way as your boy toy too! I loved it!!! I’m so glad you were able to meet them!

    Reply ↓
    1. Christina Post author

      Thanks Heather! It seriously was the best day ever 🙂 I wish I could do it again…and again…do you think they would be creeped out if I just followed them around from city to city?

      See ya in Charlotte 🙂

      Just kidding, but I am so excited for you!!!! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply ↓

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