I Did It: Better Homes and Gardens Feature

Im over the moon to share some exciting news with you. First though, it cant go without saying that I find it truly incredible how ones life and journey evolves over time. For me, I have put so much time and effort into my passion for design and inspiration, and I have been incredibly blessed with unimaginable opportunities opportunities that have exceeded hopes and dreams. By being open minded (somewhat) and following my destined path, I have been given, rewarded, and I am ever so grateful.

On to my exciting news I dont even know where to begin or how to start, so here I go My kids and I are featured in the I Did It section of the Better Homes and Gardens January 2014 issue. This feature is beyond amazing. Its the last page of the magazine, so its really just as important as the front page (if youre a back to front reader like me, ha).

Here it is

Crazy, right?!

How did this happen?

Im still pinching myself.

About a year ago through a friend/client, I was lucky to meet the incredibly talented Donna Talley, Stylist and Producer for Meredith Corporation (publisher of BHG and many other magazines). We worked together on a few project submissions and photoshoots (more of which will be coming out in other BHG magazines in 2014), which then led to the submission of my central command center. After review, the BHG team loved its incredible function and ease for any family to implement. They thought it was perfect for their get organized-theme January issue.

From that point, a date for shooting took place, which was in mid-June, and the rest was history. O wait I failed to mention one important detail. My kids were also asked to be in the feature with me. Yikes. That news alone made the pressure (pressure I put on to myself) for perfection that much more. Not only did I have to look good, but I had to worry about how my kids would look (not too big of a deal) and how they would act (sometimes a challenge).

And the biggest challenge of all WHAT TO WEAR!

In the end, nothing went as planned, yet ALL went incredibly well. And it was ALL incredibly fun!

So heres a little insight into the day

Initial ideas for clothes. In the end, totally different choices were made.

A central command center, of course, needs organization!

And there were many options. Working with Donna, options are everything. The motto Less is More, is not allowed.

Its all in the details, so my nails were done

And a few curlers helped my blah hair

my sweet friends on IG left me some nice comments. xo

And then I was ready and in front of the camera.

Photos were taken. Outfits were changed. More photos were snapped. And then the result. On the back page of BHG magazine.

It surely was a wonderful and eye-opening day. The amazing Donna Talley vamped up my central command center like no other. It was perfect-i-o-n. And the talented, John Bessler, photographer extraordinaire, made my kids at ease and as always took beautiful, engaging photos.

Since being involved in about 10 other photoshoots with Donna, it still amazes me how much goes into the set up and lighting. Pictures in magazines look effortless, but there is so much that goes into making them camera-ready. For my little 30 command center wall, look at how the room needed to be transformed.

To get the light ideally balanced takes an incredible amount of work. Something that I surely took away from the shoot and try to implement in my own blog photoshoots.

And lastly, a few pictures that I took of the central command center once the day was over and everyone was long gone.

These pictures are certainly not like the professional ones. But they are good enough for me ;)

And thats a wrap. Phew, I am so glad I could finally share this exciting news with you. Its been a long 7 months holding it in!

My take away from this whole experience Amazing opportunities and experiences can happen to anyone. Simply do what you love. Put in the effort and your reward will come.

If youd like to get your hands on the January issue, its on the newsstands now. Not only is my feature fun, but the entire issue is jam-packed with great organization tips.

If you want to see more of the central command center, visit the original post.

Via: I Did It: Better Homes and Gardens Feature