We talk about our little baby girl, some major things that happened this week in CLJ history, and give some great tips on mixing metals. We also talk about some issues we’ve had with contractors and how we handled them, how we wish we would have handled them, and how sometimes a bad contractor is a great motivator to DIY.
Listen to the latest episodes on: iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher.
Sweet Baby Polly, In the Studio
With the addition of our sweet little girl, Polly, there are things we remember and things that are new. We talk about the day Polly was born and the differences between this delivery and those of our two other daughters. We talk about the new family dynamic, the relationships between the girls, and give little glimpses into how we’re adjusting to our new life and combatting the baby blues.
This Week in CLJ History
• 4 years ago – we moved into our new house!
• What we did our first weekend in this home
• 2 years ago – our DIY white concrete countertops!
Reader Question: How do you introduce mixed metals into a space?
• Julia’s Opinion: Curtain rods should pretty much always be black
• Julia’s Opinion: Nothing should pretty much ever be brushed nickel (or brushed gold)
• Differences between chrome & polished nickel, unlacquered brass & aged brass and other metals
• How to get a “collected” feeling with your mixed metals
Hot Topic: Dealing with contractors who do a bad job
Even DIYers hire some things out, but what do you do when the person you hire does a terrible job? We talk about a few projects we’ve hired out and how we’re having to redo them. We also talk about what to do before and during a project in order to prevent an end product you aren’t happy with.
Can’t Get You Outta My Mind
Julia:Â With a newborn in the home, anything to do with Polly’s sleeping habits is going to be on Julia’s mind. We have three different things we’re using in rotation to help Polly sleep well and be comfortable when she’s awake. Check them out:
• Mama Roo
• Rock & Play Sleeper
• DockATot
Chris:Â Chris is all about T-shirts, and he found his new favorite subscription service, Wohven (and no, they aren’t a sponsor of the podcast). You can sign up to receive a plain T-shirt and/or a graphic T-shirt each month, for a super reasonable price. The shirts are comfortable, fit great, and have great design.
Preston: A couple episodes ago we talked about the eclipse, and you most likely saw someone on social media  talking about it. Living smack in the middle of the Path of Totality, we were able to experience everything a solar eclipse has to offer, and it was, by all measures, phenomenal. We share some of our experience and mention plans for the next one in 2024.
This Episode is sponsored by Brooklinen. They sent us their Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle with a Window Pane Sheet and their Bedford Smoke Stripe Duvet cover back in April and we could not be happier. Our listeners get $20 off PLUS Free Shipping with code CLJ at checkout!Â
Theme song Headphones by Preston Pugmire
I’ve loved this podcast since Episode 1 — hilarious and insightful, but I just wanted to say “thank you” to Julia for sharing about baby blues in this episode. It is obvious how committed y’all are to your kids and family, so thank you for openly sharing how new life can be wonderful *and* hard. Best wishes as you settle in to being a family of five.
Is the podcast not available on Spotify? I’d really appreciate if it could be made available on that platform too!
We’ll definitely look into what it takes to make it available there!
So glad to have you back! I love those concrete counter tops!
As far as the eclipse. We were in like 95% and I too was so surprised it didn’t get darker. You look through the glasses and see it pretty much covered but it’s still light outside. I want to drive to totality in 7 years.
Chris and Julia, what do y’all use to clean your concrete countertops?
I have read this blog for years now, and listened to all of the podcasts. You guys have had so many inspiring and wonderfully fun things to say, and I’ve soaked it all in. But I just have to say, when you were talking about the baby blues and life with a new born, I have never felt more relatable to anyone or anything than in those moments. I love how you were so honest and open about your experience which was OH SO similar to mine. The amazing, terrifying gravity of loving and being in charge of this sweet like human you created and just gave birth too. It was just so…REAL! And I know so many new moms or almost new moms, or heck all of us seasoned moms need to hear these words from each other. You put it so honestly, humorously, and beautifully. I’m so thankful for it.