Monday, April 15, 2013

Parents: The Magazine


Ever heard of it?


Well, apparently, somehow, through the magic of the internet, they had heard of me. For real- there are not enough italics in the world to make the sheer absurdity of that sentence make sense to me. But- it’s true. I got an email from one of their editors a few months ago, saying they had seen our nursery, and wanted to include it on a story they were doing about incorporating books into kids’ rooms.  I think I died first, and then emailed them back somehow from my heavenly coma. I’d like to say I played it cool, like these opportunities come all the time, but I’m pretty sure I my response was something eloquent like:

WHAT?! YES! SQUEEE…OH EM GEE THAT WOULD BE LIKE, SO TOTES AWESOME, ARE YOU SURE? OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO CALL MY MOM RIGHT NOW, HOLY CRAP, THANK YOU, YES PLEASE AND GOOD DAY TO YOU SIR. GAH- MA’AM! I’M SO SORRY, PLEASE DON’T BACK OUT NOW…I WANT YOU TO LIKE MEEEEEEEEEEEE.
EMOTICONS!!!!!!!!!

It’s possible that my freak out was kept fairly internal, but I for sure used a smiley face at one point. Because that’s what big-wig publishing gurus do, obvs.

But somehow, (italics- somehow!!) they still wanted to work with me, and requested the original picture of the room that they had liked, a quick blurb about who we are, and told me it would run in an upcoming months’ issue. Huge for me, mundane for them…end of story.
Well…somehow (somehow!!) it snowballed from there and I got a follow up email- they’d actually like to use it as the front page of the home section- could I get them a larger picture to work with? Oh- and their readers really love it when kids are featured in the photos, would I mind getting a shot with my daughter in the space too?

Um? Yes! I would be delighted to begin my daughter’s inevitable, and surely wildly successful, modeling career. Also do you need me to work with you as a part time editor, party attendee and first birthday cupcake taste tester? P.s. can we be BFF?!

(Again…I managed to use my inside voice on that, and actually said something to the effect of- Oh sure. No problem! And then rushed to coordinate a bedroom photoshoot complete with two tiny costume changes, a complete restaging of the books, and my mom holding a lamp over her head to get the lighting just right.)


I sent them one-milliondy photo options, apologizing if (IF! Ha!) I had gone overboard, and that was that. A few fact check emails later, they told me it would run in the May issue.


And somehow (?!?!) I managed to keep my big trap shut, just in case this whole thing never came to fruition. But it DID. And I’m pretty excited about it. 

Turn with me...to page 147: 

Aka: the front page of the home section: 

 Tada!

They ended up using a photo without our little reader...And sure, I'm a little bummed her adorable face (and outfits!) won't be seen by the masses, but the shot they picked shows the book wall off the best, so I understand....

I know that to some it might not be a big deal…it’s just one little magazine photo. And it’s completely silly to get too wrapped up something that will end up in people’s recycle bins in a few weeks. But our room, our blog, will be in recycle bins nationwide. I mean…how many people can say that? 
And yes, maybe a teeny part of me wishes that I was that cool girl who was all….
NBD. Just a little magazine photo, and posted a quick- “Delighted to be featured in Parents Magazine this month!” tweet and moved on. But….that’s not me. I’m a spazzy, everything-is-a-big-deal kind of girl that doesn’t get these opportunities all the time, and for sure doesn’t take them lightly. (Oh. And I rarely tweet….)
It’s old hat for big-time bloggers that find their work/photos/stories going viral and cropping up all over, but frankly- I’m still at the stage where if someone repins something of mine, I’m pretty shocked.

This blogging world never ceases to amaze me with how inspiration is shared and connections are formed. I’m beyond grateful for any amount of exposure or success I’ve received through this space (resisting the urge to downplay that statement in some sort of charming, self-deprecating way…though it probably does deserve some sort of disclaimer about what “success” means…). But mostly I’m humbled by how many awesomely talented people there are in the world, and thrilled that somehow (yes, somehow) someone out there thought something I did was kinda cool.

So- I want you to know that if you ever get a similar email, from a company that geeks you out…you have my express permission to go ahead and geek out. And then write a 781 word blog to brag about how awesomely weird your life is sometimes.

Squeee!

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If somehow you found me via the Parents article… I am, in fact, delighted you’re here. Please, feel free to stay awhile. Poke around. Get to know us. I’d love to get to know you too. 

16 comments :

  1. Oh my goodness! I would have been so excited, too! So thrilled for you :) I love the nice shot of the Jesus Storybook Bible, too!

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    1. It's that so funny? It's the first thing my mom said...She was so proud to have the bible featured!

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  2. I just found your blog through the Parents magazine article! Love your baby room and blog too! Did you ever do a tutorial for the book shelves? We are wanting something similar in our playroom!

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    1. Hi Emily! So happy you found us! Unfortunately, we didn't do a tutorial....You can check the links at the top of the post though- they'll take you to the original nursery post, and the Project Nursery page where I answered some more specific questions.
      The long and short of the shelves though- is we bought basic 1x2's and painted them white...then added a piece of trim for the front to act as a lip, and one in the back to have something to adhere to the wall (they're each just glued and nailed to the shelf part.) Then we just screwed the back plate of the finished shelf to the wall. Let me know if you have any questions...I'd be happy to email you more details!

      My husband is itching to do a tutorial now...so stay tuned!

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    2. Thanks so much Courtney! I can't wait to make some, though I am sure they will never look as lovely as the originals! I am having so much fun discovering your blog! You guys are awesome!

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  3. Yay! Cant wait to see the article in person. So exciting!!!!

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    1. Thanks Meg! I haven't seen it on newsstands yet....I had to track down a subscription copy!

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  4. Bowdenisms will be a household name before you know it! Congrats!! That nursery is def magazine worthy! Can't wait to get my copy autographed! ;)

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    1. Haha Happy...You're going to give me a big head! (Ok...a BIGGER head.)

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  5. That is simply too cool! Way to go Bowdens!

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    1. Thanks! Sorry you didn't get a credit for your share of the handiwork....next time! ;)

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  6. anoymously yours...your mom~ Don't think I didn't buy 100 copies (ok 2) and accidently have one OPEN on my desk at school and one open on the ottomen at home (oh THAT magazine?) Don't think I didn't carry it around school following people and "oops did I just drop that...here would you mind picking that up for me, my hands are full....well would you look at that???" SO PROUD OF MY BABY CUB AND CUBLET!!

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    1. haha I love it. Thanks for always (always!) being proud of me!

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  7. What a beautiful nursery, you have done a beautiful job. I found your blog via the Parents magazine. I LOVE your floor mat. Would you mind sharing how you made it? Congratulations it really is a preious space.
    Mary

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    1. Hi Mary. Thanks so much for stopping by! SO happy you like the nursery!
      For the rug...I actually purchased 6 small rag rugs (2ftx3ft each) and assembled them into one giant rug, just using rug tape on the back to connect them into a grid. It worked well on this style bc the shaggy-rags cover up any of the seams. We got ours from Urban Outfitters, but you could google "rag rug" to find similar options. Good luck!

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  8. I'm just now catching up on my mags and I simply SWOONED over the book wall and had to sit right down to find the pix. I am just giggling in delight over this post and your mom - how awesome is she?!?! A great mom is such a blessing. We share mine with friends all the time. :D Anywhoo, I'm linking this on my FB biz page because that's how I roll. If you want to check it out and maybe even become a fan since you are obviously book lovers, I'd be honored and might do a little squealing myself.
    Here's the page link:
    https://www.facebook.com/BookwormFavoritesUsborneBooksMore

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