Welcome to And Then We Tried! We’re Michelle, Robin, and Hannah, three ladies trying out things from home improvement and DIY to beauty, fashion, and travel. Things may not always (ever?) go as planned but, hey, at least we tried.
Formerly known as And Then I Tried, when I was blogging solo, I got Hannah and Robin to start sharing what they’ve been trying too. Now we’ve got a fresh new look and an updated name, and we’re ready to share more with you. So whether you’re here because you know me (hi, Grandma; hi, Arthur), Robin (hi, Tai’s mom), or Hannah (hi, Beyonce (lol jk)), we thought we’d introduce ourselves and let you know who is sharing all this stuff.
Don’t forget to let us know if you have an idea for what we should try next! You can bet that at least one of us is looking to try something new at any time.
Michelle
Hey, Michelle here. I like to travel, refinish furniture, love on my pets, and put together elaborate cheese boards. After graduating from design school and filling up my apartment with DIY projects, I bought a house and have spent the last few years tearing it apart, putting it back together, and packing my garage and basement full of Craigslist furniture.
If I’m not supervising the latest wrestling match between my cat, George, and my dog, Freddie (follow along at on Snapchat @kowalskim), I’m probably rearranging my bookshelves or covered in paint somewhere. I find myself getting sucked into new hobbies all the time and I’m currently obsessing over Korean beauty routines and getting swole at the gym.
Speed Questions
What is your middle name? Elizabeth
Favorite item of clothing? I made a sweatshirt with my pets’ faces on it, that’s a real winner.
Would you rather go through life with a perpetual cold sore on your mouth or a booger hanging from your nose? Booger
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? I’d like to do several months (okay maybe weeks) in South America
Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning person, I’m secretly a granny who’d like to go to bed at 8:30 PM
What was the last thing you geeked out about? I’ve been watching a lot of videos lately on how to properly do deadlifts at the gym. I don’t even recognize myself. Oh, and also, I ordered lunch from Aladdin’s Baking Co. (different from Aladdin’s Eatery) in Cleveland this week and it came with SO MUCH hummus + pita it was outrageous.
Pets? Two. A boycat named George and Freddie the pup
What color is your personality? Dark purple
What time did you get up this morning? 6:50, George was yelling at me from my door
What is your favorite drink? Can’t go wrong with a Hefeweizen. Also Bloody Mary + Bourbon Gingers
What interest haven’t you pursued, but have always wanted to and what draws you to it? This one is tough! I’d like to start sewing my own clothes, but right now I just have my Mom help me with that. For the most part, I am pretty quick to throw myself into any interest without thinking too hard about it.
If you had to wear a slogan on your shirt for the rest of you life, what would it be? Is there a pet at this party?
Robin
Hi! I’m Robin. As the 2007 song goes “I got it from my mama.” She’s my OG of DIY and jumping into the next huge project. I’ve been looking at everyday things and thinking, “I could make that,” since before I can remember. I grew up and went to college in Ohio before moving out to Pasadena, California, with my dog, Charlie, to be an environmental graphic designer.
On an average weekend, you can find me scouring the local flea market, engulfed in my latest obsession, or at the hardware store getting those screws I honestly thought I picked up the first time. I’m always in pursuit of the next project that will inspire me, so feel free to reach out and say hello!
Speed Questions
What is your middle name? Ashley
Favorite item of clothing? Green Madewell jacket
Would you rather go through life with a perpetual cold sore on your mouth or a booger hanging from your nose? Booger! At least it wouldn’t hurt
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Hike through Patagonia
Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning person but only recently
What was the last thing you geeked out about? Figuring out Google Maps lets you set a time you’re leaving to show projected traffic. That’s important in LA!
Pets? A dog named Charlie
What color is your personality? Crimson red
What time did you get up this morning? 6:15… and then snoozing a few times
What is your favorite drink? Bloody Mary’s in the morning and an old fashioned at night!
What interest haven’t you pursued, but have always wanted to and what draws you to it? I’ve always wanted to try leather embossing or making my own huaraches sandals.
If you had to wear a slogan on your shirt for the rest of you life, what would it be? At least I tried
Hannah
I didn’t choose the crafting and DIY life; it chose me. But seriously, after four years of sorority life followed by a few years living with Michelle, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking up projects to start and maybe even finish. I grew up watching my parents work on our house themselves, and because of that, I stubbornly believe that 90% of home improvement tasks are DIY-able.
These days, I live with my boyfriend and our dog, Cricket, in a nearly 100-year-old home that needs plenty of love and way less wallpaper. At any given moment, you can assume that I’m either working on a house project while listening to true crime podcasts, reading historical fiction, watching the same episode of Property Brothers for the hundredth time, or trying to convince my boyfriend that yes, we do need a skylight in our kitchen. And I can totally do it myself.
Speed Questions
What is your middle name? Rose
Favorite item of clothing? It’s a tie between Levi’s Wedgie jeans and my prescription Wayfarers
Would you rather go through life with a perpetual cold sore on your mouth or a booger hanging from your nose? Cold sore
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Croatia! Looks like the perfect place to get some sun and read 12 books.
Are you a morning person or a night person? I’m not sure I’m a morning person so much as I am definitely not a night person. I was always the first one to fall asleep at slumber parties, and starting a movie after 9 pm is out of the question. Lately, though, I’ve found that the more I get done before noon, the more I can lay around later.
What was the last thing you geeked out about? Three words, people: My Favorite Murder. Also, I’ve been researching the best shoes for weightlifting and cross-training (who am I).
Pets? One, Cricket the Australian Cattle Dog. Forever trying to find him a friend, though.
What color is your personality? Navy
What time did you get up this morning? I woke up at 6:55, but stayed in bed until 7:20
What is your favorite drink? Gin and tonic
What interest haven’t you pursued, but have always wanted to and what draws you to it? I always wanted to be in an a cappella group in college. I was in choir and band growing up and always wished I had stuck with music somehow.
If you had to wear a slogan on your shirt for the rest of you life, what would it be? (Example: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow, we all die.) PERSONAL SPACE
We’re excited to share our plans and projects with you here and are always open to suggestions for the next thing to try!
