Each month, I reply your questions proper right here on the weblog with my “Ask Casey” collection. Yow will discover all of my previous posts proper right here.
Right this moment, I assumed it is likely to be enjoyable to vary issues up and have my assistant, Lindsey, reply your questions! She has been working for The DIY Playbook for nearly two years now and he or she is such a power behind the scenes. I’m so grateful for her laborious work and likewise her friendship.
I requested to your questions over on Instagram a couple of weeks in the past and also you despatched in some actually nice ones. Lindsey picked her faves and is right here to share a bit extra about herself.
Working at The DIY Playbook
How did you and Casey join? What’s your favourite half about working for Casey?
It didn’t shock me in any respect that so many questions I acquired have been asking about what it was like working at The DIY Playbook. It might be my first query too, give me all of the behind-the-scenes scoop! I’ve been following the weblog since nearly the start, I used to name Bridget and Casey my Chicago besties to my husband, so he knew who I used to be speaking about.
When Casey posted within the Summer time of 2021 that she was searching for a digital assistant, I instantly obtained my resume prepared and despatched it over as quick as I may. I don’t suppose I’ve ever been extra excited a few job than I used to be about this one. (Be aware from Casey: Lindsey was the primary submission I acquired. Lower than half-hour after I posted concerning the job. Ha!)
Working for Casey is truthfully a dream. It was positively intimidating at first as a result of I’ve adopted and appeared as much as her for thus lengthy. What if she was this terrible individual in actual life? They all the time say you by no means meet the folks you look as much as as a result of then your coronary heart will probably be damaged studying who they are surely, however I can say, for sure, Casey is even higher IRL. She is supportive of being a working mother of three, cares about what I take pleasure in doing, and pushes me exterior my consolation zone to do laborious issues, like writing at present’s weblog submit!
It’s so enjoyable studying and watching Casey be a businesswoman and observe her dream. She has positively impressed me to be extra assured in my work and push my boundaries on what I assumed I used to be able to. I even have gotten the possibility to do some wonderful work, like serving to with the Really feel Good Makeover and I will probably be heading to Italy with Casey in April. Tyler, my husband, has labored with us a bit on search engine marketing and he all the time feedback on how superior she is, so clearly, we’re massive Casey followers round right here! Additionally, it doesn’t harm that a part of my job is on-line purchasing for home decor!
Kansas Metropolis, Born & Raised
What’s life in Kansas Metropolis like? Seems like it could be SO totally different from the Finn’s metropolis life! Any favourite neighborhoods and spots in Kansas Metropolis?
We love Kansas Metropolis! It’s positively a hidden gem that’s beginning to get increasingly common with its affordability and tradition, and it’s nice for each households and singles. We stay within the burbs, however it’s simple to get downtown and to totally different areas of KC. The site visitors is nothing in comparison with bigger cities. I really like the comfortable really feel, as a result of whereas it has the massive metropolis facilities, it additionally isn’t uncommon to see folks you realize out and about. It appears like town is one massive membership, all of us help the identical groups (Go Chiefs!) and midwest politeness is all over the place.
Kansas Metropolis is definitely one metropolis in 2 states, one thing that confuses most individuals. Town sits proper on the Kansas and Missouri state line. When you see photos of downtown Kansas Metropolis, that’s really the Missouri aspect. It isn’t irregular for folks to stay on one aspect of the state line and work within the different, though it does make taxes a bit extra difficult! Whereas there’s pleasant banter backwards and forwards on what aspect is healthier KS or MO, it doesn’t change the texture of it being one metropolis.
As I discussed we stay within the burbs, particularly within the Northland on the Missouri aspect, which is rising increasingly each time you flip round. We like to go right down to North Kansas Metropolis on a pleasant weekend to hit up the parks, Rooster N’ Pickle, and the native breweries. If I’m heading downtown I’m usually heading to River Market to the weekend farmers market and I all the time make a much-needed cease at Bloom Bakery for a quiche lorraine.
For date nights, we often find yourself within the Crossroads or Westport. They each have wonderful eating places and good nightlife – not that we try this an excessive amount of anymore; 10 pm is my bedtime. When you haven’t tried Chewology but I extremely advocate it. You can also’t go improper with having a bunch outing to Boulevard Beer Corridor. When you like hole-in-the-wall bars, Jim’s is a good cease for an reasonably priced beer.
Household Life As A Mother of Three
How do you know you needed three children? Hardest transition 0-1, 1-2, 2-3?
Earlier than having children we needed 4 youngsters. Tyler comes from a giant household and I’ve all the time needed a home full of children. Nicely, wouldn’t you realize, children are laborious! After having our first we stated, “Okay, possibly simply three children”. Then we had our second, and stated “Yep, I feel we’re achieved.” We have been then stunned with our third! Our youngsters are additionally fairly shut in age. Our boys are 19 months aside and our youngest children are two years aside. Sure, I had three children in diapers of some type at one level!
I personally would say the transition from two to 3 children was the toughest for us. Our daughter is a 2020 child, so not solely was the being pregnant and start expertise utterly totally different than my different two but additionally bringing her dwelling was extraordinarily isolating.
We had a new child and two younger children, and a worldwide pandemic taking place, and didn’t understand how it could have an effect on our infants in the event that they have been to get sick. We come from a big household (and a fair bigger help group), so not with the ability to have everybody round was tough. Additionally, you’re going from man to man to zone protection, and it pulls you in so many alternative instructions! Life as a mother of three will be powerful.
I ended up getting recognized with PPA and PPD three months after our daughter was born and obtained on meds instantly. I’m so completely satisfied that taking meds is turning into extra normalized, however we nonetheless have to this point to go by way of help for mothers after start.
I used to be a full-time stay-at-home mother earlier than having our daughter, however knew it wasn’t one thing I may proceed for my very own psychological well being and what was greatest for my household. That’s a part of what made me so excited to see Casey’s job posting as a result of I knew it could be excellent for me! I’m able to have a versatile schedule for my household, whereas additionally having one thing for me to pour into in addition to my children, husband, and residential.
Household Photographer
How do I discover a good household photographer in my space?
I’ve been doing images on the aspect since highschool and concentrate on household images. Photographers is likely to be one of the best and worst shoppers to have. They perceive the truth of attempting to get an excellent picture, however additionally they have excessive expectations. In the case of discovering a photographer in my space, I all the time begin with two strategies. The perfect is to take a look at your mates and who you observe on social media for his or her images. When you like somebody’s images, try who took them and see in the event that they suit your type and finances. When you nonetheless aren’t discovering what you need head over to Instagram and search the hashtags in your space (Instance: #kansascityfamilyphotography, #kansascityphotography).
I’ve so as to add this snippet for photographers all over the place: If you rent a photographer, you’re hiring somebody for his or her ability and artwork type. When you like gentle and ethereal images, don’t rent somebody whose portfolio is darkish and moody, and count on them to vary their type to fulfill your expectations. Additionally, notice that that is their enterprise. They’re charging for not solely their time spent with you on the shoot, but additionally the time it takes to edit the images, which generally takes longer than the precise shoot. When you see somebody whose work you like, however you possibly can’t afford them, hold trying. The value you pay for a photographer is seen straight within the work they produce!
Facet Be aware from Casey: Lindsey wrote this weblog submit final spring with recommendations on tips on how to take higher images utilizing your cellphone. It has a number of particulars to enhance your images abilities if you wish to take your individual.
Thank You, Lindsey!
A giant thanks to Lindsey for writing at present’s weblog submit. I’m so completely satisfied the Playbook group obtained to study a bit extra about her. Additionally, does anybody else need to go to Kansas Metropolis after these particulars she shared?! I feel I have to plan a go to quickly…
Extra Questions? Ask Away!
Subsequent month, I’ll be again to answering your questions. You possibly can submit yours utilizing the shape under.
