Howdy friends! Here are some of our weekend adventures —
We did our usual Friday thang and had some friends over to play in the yard until we walked down to Fridays After Five for music, pizza and fun!
Saturday morning after breakfast we drove down to Richmond to visit the Homearama showcase of design homes. I’m a huge fan of Young House Love and couldn’t wait to see their house in person!
Of course it was my favorite of the show – I love their taste, and the house was absolutely gorgeous inside and out. {LOVE that West Elm rug! And those sofas were even nicer in person} I especially loved their house’s layout upstairs. It was so spread out and well-designed for a family of two kids, a guest room and a really awesome spacious master retreat.
Mazen and Matt found a playground and gave me a glorious early Mother’s Day present – an hour to myself drooling over the homes. I grew up obsessed with model homes, and always swore I would live in a brand new house when I grew up. (My parents’ house was built in 1833 so I wanted anything but old.) I really like our house now, but it is not new!! Homearama made me realize that one day I might have to fulfill this new-house dream. Maybe in retirement…
All seven homes in the showcase were gorgeous, and while they were very different inside, they did have some common elements that I would love in my future new house:
Kidding on that last one : )
But really, I feel like new houses get knocked down for not having enough character, but these were oooozing with nooks, crannies, smart design and gorgeous finishes.
When our little man had had enough running up and down the hills, we hopped back in the car and went to find lunch. I googled cafes nearby, and we picked Urban Farmhouse as a great option for soups, sandwiches and salads.
And that’s when the ultimate coincidence happened – we bumped into John, Sherry, and their kids (including newborn baby!) just leaving lunch!!!!
I was totally star struck – YHL is one of my very favorite blogs! I blabbered on something about the West Elm desk chair they chose and how much I enjoyed their house and love their blog. I was still in shock that we actually ran into them in the giant sprawl that is Richmond on the day that I had been down to tour their house! The baby was sweetly sleeping, and their daughter Mazen spent all three minutes running around together. I know John loves Cville, so I hope to run into these guys again some time!
Back to lunch – we shared the following three ways: a Farmhouse grilled cheese, a Lemony Caesar, a Hummus + Spinach sandwich and some Tuscan Bean soup. Everything was delicious – even the ruffled potato chips and carrot slices on the side : )
Although we had had quite a lot of food, when I heard they make their own shakes, we decided to get one for dessert. A vanilla dream.
Mazen stayed awake for our whole drive home and then took a short nap before Karen joined us on the porch for wine and conversation.
We had a few glasses of red wine and no appetite for dinner due to our late lunch, but after the sun set we had some rice noodles and leftover pesto pea pasta from Cook Smarts
Followed by cupcakes Karen brought from Cappellino’s. {Mazen enjoyed his before bedtime}
Matt and I wanted to watch a movie and decided on a comedy….and then somehow ended up watching The Grey. It was TERRIFYING! SO so scary. But good!
Sunday morning – Mother’s Day – I stayed in bed for an HOUR after Mazen got up. Sipping coffee and browsing Houzz is my kinda wake-up. Then I heard the pitter patter of little feet and Mazen brought me a bottle of Chanel Chance! Chanel is my favorite, and I haven’t worn Chance in a long time.
We went for a short run and then got dressed up for brunch at our friend’s house
We moms had the choice of watching the kids or doing the cooking – we picked the cooking! The kids and dads had a great time playing in the yard.
Back inside we sipped champagne. I made a few batches of French toast on Cinnamon Swirl bread –
There was also smoked salmon, frittata, fruit salad, and green salad
My only picture with my son all day!
Love these girls!
Mamas. All the kids were sobbing on the porch when we left to take this picture!
And then we got this one just before everyone melted down for nap time
Sunday afternoon I went SHOPPING during nap to our new Pottery Barn – one of my favorite stores! I came home with a new sham and some decorative coral, but I seriously wanted to buy ev.ery.thing. there. Beach house of my dreams!
Sunday night we went to a friend’s birthday party and the camera stayed home. We feasted on home-smoked BBQ, potato salad, pasta salad, jalapeno chips and lemon cheesecake bars for dessert. Plus lots of home brew!
Hope you had a happy weekend and Mother’s Day!!
Katie says
Looks like a fabulous Mother’s Day weekend. Love those houses, love the pictures of Mazen (especially the one of him bringing you the Chanel in his jammies), still love that Gap dress on you (sadly I tried on both the dress and skirt and didn’t care for how either fit me), and love PB (can’t wait to see pictures of the new sham and coral). Have a wonderful week!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Sounds like a fantastic weekend! It’s so neat that you got to see the YHL Showhome — and that you ran into John & Sherry! Love them 🙂
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I’ve always wanted to do the “showcase of new homes” where they let you walk through the fancy-schmancy new homes that have just been built – but I think I would get major house envy too! I love seeing how people decorate though because that’s something I’ve never been good at. I can see a picture and know if I like it or not, but I can’t take an empty room in my house and be able to run out and buy the right furniture and finishings for it. Maybe one day I’ll get the knack for it. 🙂
Stacy B says
Love everything about this post! Looks like you had a great weekend and I can’t believe that you bumped into John and Sherry immediately after touring their show house! So jealous 🙂
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Urban Farmhouse is THE BEST!! We love going there when we’re in Richmond.
Ali says
That house was beautiful! I loved everything about it. Now only to live in a new house…
Hannah @ eat, drink, and save money says
House envy is real! I’ve felt it a lot since downsizing to a condo. Isn’t it fun to go to open houses and dream? Before we had our baby, my husband and I would dress up and go to really fancy open houses and pretend we were trust fund babies. I never get tired of looking at houses. Great Mother’s Day present!
Chelsea @ BigBitesLittleBudget says
I just love going through model homes. The Parade of Homes is one of my favorite events. I agree with you on the new home smell…there is just something about it!
Amy www.funfoodiefamily.com says
Glad you had a great weekend! Love the family Mother’s Day brunch idea! Mazen is so cute!
Jesse says
that bathroom in the house showcase is the bathroom of my dreams!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/05/work-outfit-13.html
Melissa @ Mango About Town says
WOW I’m so envious you got to see their house in person! I’ve been reading all their posts about it, the house looks stunning!
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
Happy late Mother’s Day! Sounds like an awesome weekend! I love visiting model homes. It’s so much fun! Hope you had a great weekend!
EG says
Love the small world stuff. I love finding local-ish awesome bloggers like you! I feel all connected to this story, too.
1. I went to a sewing retreat called Sew South in Charlotte in March. There I met Christen Barber of Love by Hand, who resides in Richmond, where we used to live. Christen knows the folks from Young House Love a little bit, it seems. I know of YHL but I’m not nearly as ambitious as them so I don’t follow regularly.
For the post-Sew South swap, I got Christen’s name! Turned out that not only did I get to make something for my fellow Virginian and Hokie, but that the swap was due the weekend I was going to be visiting RVA with my family.
Anyway, I found your blog recently because I’m on an elimination diet for autoimmune hives and Googled my way to you for breakfast ideas. Excited that you’re in Cville. Love your blog and your perspective on food, fun, family (and beer).
When we were in Richmond last weekend we ate breakfast at Urban Farmhouse. 🙂
AND, last week I had to go to UVA for an allergist appointment, and went to Circa afterwards (oh my gosh!). So I stumbled upon your bakery (didn’t go in because of the aforementioned elimination diet).
There’s a chance we might move to Charlottesville someday. I’ll let you know if we do, since clearly we’re meant to be besties. Creepy? Perhaps. Enjoy your week!
KathEats says
Haha so many connections!! I love it when that happens. Yes, if you move here we will be friends : )
Jill Allison Bryan says
Hi Kath –
I had the amazing opportunity to design and create a custom home with my husband about 13 years ago. We spent about a year and half between designing and building and it was truly one of my favorite creative experiences ever. It was also practically a full time job, but I adored it. In fact, I love it so much I thought of going back to school for design, but then realized once we’d moved in that it would be a totally different experience designing for someone else.
I put my heart and soul into every detail. You’d be amazed at the thousands of choices/decision to be made. Everything from floor plans to cabinet hardware to lighting to which way a door should open.
Given your great sense of style I think you would do a wonderful job and enjoy the process. So my hope for you is that you do have the opportunity to build yourself a new house someday. I’ll love reading about it when you do. 🙂
Jill
KathEats says
So cool! I’m sure it’s a full time job. ..so many choices!
Rebekah {aCricketSang} says
Gorgeous looking house and decor!
CM says
So funny for me to hear you talk about house envy…because I’m completely envious of YOUR house!
Tracy says
I’m a huge YHL fan!! So cool you were able to see the house in person!
As a mom of 4 athletic kids, I would lose my sanity without my mudroom….a must-have in any house for me!
I love home shows for decorating ideas too!!
E says
TOTALLY jealous you met the whole YHL gang AND saw the showhouse! I’m drooling over the pics here in Charlotte. I just moved this weekend and there was no time between buying/selling homes to make it up there.
Lori says
How awesome to meet John, Sherry, and kids!! My aunt found YHL after googling something about elegant backyard weddings while helping me plan my wedding about 5 years ago. I looked at their wedding recap so many times for inspiration, and it was probaby another year or so before I realized it was a DIY home blog! LOVE them! And after not checking in for quite a long time, I just did on Fri, so it’s funny that I just got up to date on them right before you posted this!
You look gorgeous in your one Mother’s Day pic with Mazen 🙂
Shel@PeachyPalate says
I’m no ashamed to say…I’m 100% jealous of your weekends! Fun family times and great eats and looks like lots of sunshine! 🙂 My favourite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon when I was a kid was to visit show houses (houses on sale, brand spanking new!) right from the age of about 6!
Jackie says
Happy belated Mother’s Day!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
Looks like you had a fun weekend! I love huge bathrooms and houses with an open floor plan. I currently live in a small apartment and hope to live in a house with a big floor plan someday!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit says
Your weekends always look like so much fun and filled with such delicious looking food! Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
jillian says
My house is a historical home built in 1697. Thank goodness for updates! 🙂
Kim says
I would love to see the YHL house in person. LUCKY! Also so lucky that you met them. Had they heard of you?
KathEats says
I was too shy to bring up blog talk so I don’t know!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
All of your food looks SOO good! I made French toast this weekend too. I made extra and plant to bring it to work tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how it reheats…
Emily @ Life on Food says
What a fantastic weekend! I am so jealous you got to go to the Home Show. I wish lived closer and how cool is that you met YHL. Crazy!!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
Awesome looking weekend! We have those home tour as well and it is my favorite thing in the world! I am always looking forward to it every year!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
The open floor plans photo is probably my favorite! Looks like so much fun, and happy belated mother’s day!
Sarah (The Simple Dietitian) says
The home is gorgeous!! I love many aspects of it, but especially the hard wood floors. Absolutely stunning!!
I’m a big fan of pottery barn’s stuff as well…along with anthropologie, which has some really cute dishes/towels. 😀
Allison says
Dream home!! So cool that you got the meet them!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
So much tasty food and fun festivities! Happy belated Mother’s Day to you, Kath!
Gahh that house is just gorgeous.
Sarah says
Love your longer hair!!
rachel says
What a great weekend! Kath, your skin always looks good, but in that pic with Mazen, you look just flawless-glowy!! Do you feel like your interaction awhile back with the woman who made recommendations on your skin products (I’m sorry, her name escapes me) has made a big difference for you overall? I know it never will, but I’d give about anything for my skin to look like that!! I was thinking of setting up a consultation with her, but was just wondering your opinion now that it’s been a couple months and you’ve had a chance to try some of her suggestions. Thanks!
KathEats says
I’ve been using Paula’s Choice at her recommendation and love it. Part of it is probably genetic – I don’t feel like I can take all the credit!
Kelsey Yoki says
I loved watching the progress on YHL’s home they did – and it was one of my favorites overall. I did read their post that showed some aspects they liked of the other homes, but the YHL one was my favorite – and how crazy that you were able to meet them! =) Looks like you had an incredible weekend.
Erin Shmidt says
We can’t wait to tour the home show this weekend! If you ever go back to Urban Farmhouse, they have the best mimosas for Sunday brunch of $5 and we love to add their french toast and Virginia ham.
That mud room is my fav.
Lisa Langenfeld says
What an amazing weekend! The houses all look so beautiful. That is SO cool that you got to meet YHL! I’m obsessed with their blog and DIY as we are undertaking some major home improvements. Happy Mothers Day to you! 🙂