Why I went to Iowa…..

I was asked by Better Homes and Gardens if I would like to work with them to help promote their line of products. Ummmm, of course! And then they said that a trip to their headquarters would be part of the deal. Sign me up! I was so excited. So excited that I actually went shopping. So excited that I bought HIGH HEELS. People. I have never had high heels before. But I thought, “Why the heck not?” And then I bought a dress to go with them. Who am I?

By the way, did you know that the headquarters of BHG was in Des Moines, Iowa? I did, but only because I am kind of a stalker-ish fan of BHG.  But I had never been to Iowa before. I got to have a sneak peek at some of their new products and have a tour of the whole place. You would die if you saw their prop room! Like I could roll out a sleeping bag and live there.

So grab a snack, put up your feet and get comfy because I am giving you a virtual tour today!

Two buildings (one original and one built later) are joined by a large, enclosed bridge. I know there is an actual name for this type of structure. But It is late and my brain has partially shut off. And google isn’t recognizing “glass bridge thingy”. Of course I will sit up in bed at 4am because it has finally come to me, but for now let’s call it the glass sky bridge. Because that sounds cool. In one part of the office building there are these amazing sculptures hanging from the very top of the building all the way down to the bottom. They were stunning!

After we had breakfast we got to see the products that are sold at Walmart and some new things not yet released. I have already ordered this faux fur pillow!

 

(Photo Credit: Ian and Alli from BHG)

Their bins, baskets, and boxes are probably some of my favorite products. These are already available. The liners snap off so you can wash them and they have chalkboard tags. There are two sizes.

 

(Photo Credit: Ian and Alli from BHG)

They had all these rooms set up in their photography studio. Pretty much all the products in the rooms were BHG products. I LOVE their bedding options. And the nail head headboards? Get out! I want a tan and gray one please.

 

(Photo Credit: Ian and Alli from BHG)

Eddie Ross was there and shared some styling tips. We had lunch outside. By this point I am inwardly cursing whoever invented high heels.

And here is the prop room! It really isn’t all that glamorous. Cement floors, very basic shelving, and tucked in the basement, or at least downstairs somewhere. All I know is there were lots of stairs and my feet were hating me. But while the location may not have been something special, the items inside were. Everything you could ever need in every color!

The cute girl with the clipboard who was given the unfortunate job of keeping us on schedule kept telling me I had to leave. So eventually I did. But I could have lovingly caressed each item. In my next life I want to be the keeper of the prop room.

Then they took us to the test gardens. YOU GUYS! I love gardening. But then again you already know that. My logo is a plant for goodness sake. I will say the gardens were smaller than I thought they would be but that did not make them any less special. There were bumblebees and butterflies galore. Water features, benches, sculptures and so many types of plants were scattered throughout. Again, I could have stayed all day. But of course that would have upset the cute clipboard girl.

I hope your screen allows you to see this rose for what it really was. It was the most saturated coral color I have ever seen.

They had plants for every type of climate. Many I had seen before but some were new to me.

And I may or may not have taken a hundred pictures of this bee. Little did he know he was showing up to a photoshoot. Apparently he thinks his backside is his best side.

Prop room, gardens…… Just when you think it can’t get any better BOOM! A Fully equipped woodworking shop. I think I gasped. I even temporarily forgot that my feet had given up the ghost.

We also got to visit the test kitchens. They were creating a new recipe for one of their magazines that involved basil and it smelled like heaven. The food editor, Nancy, shared some tips with us and we got to watch the process of some of the people testing recipes. I never thought watching people eat could be so fascinating! They have dining rooms set up where they gather and eat the food. They analyze it and take notes.

After a long and thrilling day at the headquarters we were taken back to the hotel to get ready for the Iowa State Fair. I obviously changed. Jeans, a tee shirt, and my “grandma” shoes (AKA Skechers Go Walks) made me and my feet happy. It was so fun to eat fair food, risk my life on scary rides, and see The Butter Cow. Yep. It is just what you think it is…. a life sized cow made entirely of butter. Apparently it is a thing. #onlyatafair

In the coming months I will share with you how I am using the BHG products in my own home. I already ordered like 20 things online! I can’t wait :)

 

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  I received compensation from  BHG at Walmart for my time and participation in the BHG Live Better Network. Although as always, the thoughts, ramblings, and opinions are ALL mine!