Day One of Filming + Details

I recently mentioned that I would be hanging out with a small camera crew and that I would be filmed working on my sons' bedroom makeover. I also (with the help of my friend Erica) posted lots of behind the scenes photos on Instagram last week. Today I am sharing all of the details with you on my first-ever (terrifying) experience of being filmed and what exactly is going on. (Warning: This post contains a bazillion photos. I tried to arrange them into collages so they would be less overwhelming.)


So, last week I was filmed by HLN (CNN's sister station) for a segment on a new Home Transformations series they are working on. I believe it will air during Morning Express with Robin Meade. (*Update: I've been told that it will now air during Evening Express.) I will have more info very soon - this series is brand new so they are still working out the kinks. My segments will be short (3-5 minutes each) and will air in a 3 part series over 3 weeks. As of right now, I believe it will air in March, but of course I will update you as soon as I have all of the information. They will show the entire process of transforming my boys' room from a "baby room" for my 2 year-old, into a shared "big boy room" for my 2 & 4 year-old sons.

Here's how it works: They will come to my house and film me 3 times over a 2 week period. (Last week was "Day 1," and this Wednesday will be "Day 2" of filming. "Day 3" will be the final reveal of the room. So that means I have to execute an entire room makeover within 2 weeks! The "crew" consisted of a camera man and a producer (John), and they left a flip cam with me to film myself working on things when they're not around. They made me feel at ease even though I was completely nervous!

I am so thankful to my sweet friend Erica for being my "assistant" for the day and taking photos for me from behind the scenes so the entire experience could be documented. I am also very grateful for my mother in-law who came to town to help with the boys. My husband even got roped into appearing on camera even though he wasn't expecting to! He was working from home, so we had him help clear out the room and then he ended up sitting in on an interview with me. (Oh - and the "Wear Gloves" tip in the photo above - yeah, I didn't take that advice and ended up with navy blue hands for 2 days!)

While this will be amazing exposure for the blog (which is why I wanted to do it), it is completely terrifying to think about being on national TV. The whole "being on camera" thing is definitely awkward, but I hope you all will pretend I did a good job even if it is a total disaster! Ha. The good news is that I've been keeping so busy that I didn't really have much time to be nervous before they arrived to shoot.

Feel free to follow along on Instagram this Wednesday, Feb. 13, for more behind the scenes stuff as we work on Day 2 of filming.

On another note, the "Whole Lotta Family Love" Giveaway is still going on, so be sure to enter to win!

Will you tune in to watch me as I try not to make a fool of myself on HLN? Any questions about the experience and how awkward it is to pretend there's not a camera in your face? Ha! I'll do my best to answer!