Nate Berkus + BHG + NYC= Awesomeness

I have had a hard time writing this post because I can't seem to put into words how much fun and how exhausting this trip was. I was gone 5 full days and that is the longest I have been gone from my family. I was constantly on the go and came home feeling like I had mono. But it was amazing and a once in a lifetime experience.

I got to NYC in the late afternoon on Monday and met up with Jen from With Heart. She was also there to film the BHG Makeover Challenge. We walked around and did a little shopping.

The next morning I had breakfast with a friend and then went back to the hotel to meet up with Sarah from Sarah M. Dorsey Designs. She was the third person doing the makeover challenge. We walked to the BHG offices around noon and immediately got started!

Like I mentioned before, they had the challenge set up kind of like Project Runway. Eddie Ross was the "Tim Gunn" type host. He welcomed us and told us what our challenge was. We knew ahead of time we would be adding things to a wall in our space and we were allowed to bring 3 items from home. But just like on Project Runway, there was a TWIST! We could not use any nails or screws. Uggg!

We were each given a white wall, the same desk, and the same chair. We were given a budget of $200 to shop at Michael's. We were challenged to create a gallery wall and style the desk area. We all had some stumbling blocks and had to resort to plan B...... and C......and sometimes D.

There were cameras filming the whole time. In the car on our way to Michael's, at Michael's while we shopped, and back at the work room while we painted and created. I hope they edit it well. I said "crap" a lot.... While it was a bit stressful, it was also one of the best experiences I have ever had. I even got to go to hair and make-up for the final interview. I got to wear eyeshadow for the first time ever. Unless you count some white glitter I tried once in Jr. High....which should totally not count because it was white glitter. Even in the 90s it was bad.

We filmed Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we went back to the hotel to freshen up before meeting some other bloggers for dinner. Thursday was the Stylemaker Event..... with NATE BERKUS!

I worked with his manager and NBC to help promote his American Dream Builders show so his manager, Krista, (who is darling BTW) introduced us before the panel he was moderating.

He knew who I was and said that he had read every single one of those posts! He thanked me and all I could do was mumble incoherently. Crazy, right?

I was front row and seated directly in front of him and his fabulous hair. Not stalkerish at all...

Later at the party I grabbed a picture with him. My inner dialog went as follows:

"Stacy, keep it on the down low. Don't freak him out by acting like an obsessed fan. Play it cool."

Can you see my crazed expression? Ahhhhh.

I did not play it cool. #fail

After a long busy week it was fun to let loose with all the bloggers and editors at the party.  I also got to meet Monica Pedersen who was a judge on American Dream Builders as well as a host on HGTV. She was the NICEST person ever.  I was super impressed with her.

As you already know, I was challenged by 3M DIY to find something to inspire my next project while I was in NYC. I posted several contenders on instagram and I have finally come up with a winner.

One of my favorite things about New York City is how all the buildings have such amazing little details. This pattern was along the bottom of a build I passed while in Soho on Friday. I fell in love! So do you think you know what I will be making?

 

 

The videos we filmed for the makeover challenge should be up on their site on September 29th. YOU will get a chance to vote for your favorite. I can't wait to share my gallery wall with you!!!