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My Feature in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

April 21, 2017 by Ashley Mayes 29 Comments

Let’s be brutally honest, friends. I feel weird writing a blog post about my feature in Better Homes and Gardens, BUT it’s been on my “I feel like I’ve accomplished something when…” list for about a year now.  So, I hope you read this post as it was written; not as me bragging about anything; just sharing in the process of what a magazine feature looks like and how it happens and so forth; and me celebrating the fact that I accomplished something that I set out to accomplish.

Better Homes and Gardens Feature

At the beginning of last year, I decided to put my focus into the blog and growing it, providing new content, providing better content and just trying to grow it in general. I’m not going to bore you with numbers, or anything, but let’s just say that I had five goals last year and I hit four of them in regards to growth. My last goal was to be featured in a magazine publication.

I was supposed to have our Christmas front porch featured during the holidays, but it got dropped at the last minute. Then, Greyson’s closet loft was supposed to be featured in a magazine in Spain, but again, it got dropped. Both of those magazines wanted to use my photography instead of scheduling a photographer and stylist to come to my house and reshoot.

Anyways, December 2016 rolled around and I didn’t meet my goal of having something published in print. I’ve had quite a few things published online at House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, etc., but not a print publication.

Just before Christmas (I believe), I got an email from the editor of the “I Did It” column from Better Homes and Gardens saying that she wanted to chat over the phone about possibly featuring my DIY Plant Hanger.

We chatted over the phone a day or two later and then from there, they decided to book a shoot at my house.

The shoot was to take place mid-Jan and it was going to be published in the May issue.

A few emails went back and forth with the editor and stylist about all the details on the project, clothing options, where they might want to shoot the project, etc.

The day before the shoot, Joseph (the stylist for the shoot – follow his IG here), showed up and hauled all the props, clothes and plants in. The key to all the things that he brought was to have options. Lots of textures, different sizes of plants, different clothing and jewelry options, etc.

It was so interesting! We chatted for awhile as he toured the house. He had in mind that he wanted to shoot the project in our eat-in kitchen. That afternoon he worked his magic in that space making it feel like me but also what the May issue of the magazine was going to be.

Better Homes and Gardens Feature

The next day, the photographer and photographer’s assistant and Joesph all arrived back at the house around 8am. They set up all the camera equipment, including sheeting outside the windows in the kitchen (I’m sure my neighbors wondered what was going on). They took some test shots, we tried different outfits on and small changes were made to decor.

Quite a few shots were taken with different props, some were of me watering the plants, some were of me sitting by it and smiling. You get the idea.

I think the project was shot and everything cleaned up and they were headed home by around 2pm. It was a whirlwind of a day but so much fun.

Better Homes and Gardens Feature

From the shoot day to about mid-March, there were a few emails that went back and forth with details as well as a phone interview for the magazine write-up. It was seriously such a fun experience.

I learned so much about the process of what goes into a magazine feature as well as how professionals photograph and style a feature. Seriously, I loved that part.

For all of you who have cheered me on or are reading through this post, thank you. I seriously appreciate your support. This blog has grown to more than what I could have ever imagined. I would have never thought it could be a “job” but that’s what it is. And, I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do something that I enjoy so much.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

Filed Under: Featured, Life

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Comments

  1. Cassie Bustamante says

    April 21, 2017 at 6:20 am

    my issue arrived yesterday and it’s my annual fave- ice cream! congrats on your awesome feature!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      I had no idea that they ice cream annually! Thanks Cassie!

      Reply
  2. Robin from Frugal Family Times says

    April 21, 2017 at 6:22 am

    What an incredible milestone, Ashely! And so well deserved. I can’t wait to pick up a copy. Congrats!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks Robin! It was definitely a milestone.

      Reply
  3. Carrie says

    April 21, 2017 at 6:30 am

    Congratulations Ashley! That is awesome! Love the feature photo!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks Carrie!!

      Reply
  4. Chaney says

    April 21, 2017 at 9:22 am

    This is so awesome! I haven’t gotten my issue yet, but I can’t wait to see YOU in it. Congrats!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      Haha, thanks Chaney!

      Reply
  5. Charlotte says

    April 21, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    You seriously rock!! So awesome. And you should brag, you’ve worked hard!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks Charlotte!

      Reply
  6. Amy | Delineate Your Dwelling says

    April 21, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    So very thrilling! Congrats, congrats friend!!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks Amy!! I’m still pinching myself.

      Reply
  7. Jessica says

    April 21, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Congratulations on meeting your goals!! You absolutely deserve it. I am so happy for you and you inspire me!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks Jessica! xoxo

      Reply
  8. Stacie says

    April 21, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    Way to go! My friend Natalie is in that issue too with her shop Freckled Hen Farmhouse! It is a great issue!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks Stacie! I’ll have to go check the shop out! Sounds cool.!

      Reply
  9. Jessica | house homemade says

    April 21, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    That’s so awesome Ashley! Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks Jessica!

      Reply
  10. Christi Chambers says

    April 21, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    Ashley, this is SO COOL!!! Huge, huge, huge congrats 🙂

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks Christi! It’s been pretty fun!

      Reply
  11. Rheagan says

    April 22, 2017 at 9:49 am

    Congrats! I can’t wait to see it for myself! You have every right to be super proud of yourself!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      You are the sweetest! Thanks Rheagan!

      Reply
  12. Lizzie Ravn says

    April 22, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    How cool – congratulations!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks Lizzie!!

      Reply
  13. Carol @ CAD INTERIORS says

    April 23, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    I am SO incredibly happy for you, Ashley! I haven’t seen the issue yet, and now I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Congrats my friend! You deserve it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes says

      April 24, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Gosh Carol, thanks girl!

      Reply
  14. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says

    April 25, 2017 at 8:37 am

    So awesome and fun! Congratulations!

    Reply
  15. Ashley Palmer says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Congratulations, Ashley!

    Reply
  16. Lindi says

    April 28, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    SO interesting Ashley! Being in a magazine is definitely something on my dream list right now too! So happy for you! So well deserved 🙂

    Reply

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