Behind the scenes of our Food Network Magazine Shoot!

Pinch me! We're in September's issue of Food Network Magazine, on stands now. Earlier this year, Food Network Magazine contacted us about featuring us in our kitchen after seeing it on Instagram. Chris's sister gifted us a year's subscription to Food Network Magazine for Christmas five years ago and we haven't missed an issue since. So, needless to say, we were a big-fat-YES and the experience has been one of the highlights of our year thus far.

The shoot day was way back in early April, but I haven't been allowed to say anything until the spread came out. It was such a fun, surreal day and I'm so grateful my friend Whitney was able to snap some behind-the-scenes shots for us.

Prior to the photographers coming, we spent a few days making sure the kitchen was spotless; light shades clear of dust and film, the stovetop looking like new, the kitchen linens ironed for the first time ever. We also spent some time on what we were going to wear as there was no wardrobe for this shoot. I bought a few options for each of us and we ended up trying most of them.

The first thing they did when they got there is take down the dining room chandelier and move the table and all the chairs out of the way. Then we all got our nails painted (not usually something I normally do), except Chris, of course. Chris took some time to gaze out the window.

I had two friends there, who were life savers!, helping the girls stay happy and smiling, but after a few hours, the photos were wearing on them and my friends took them for food and a breather while the photographers tried a few shots of just Chris and I. It was easier, but I felt a tinge of sadness that our whole family wasn't there.

He sent a few shots to the editor and she came back and asked me to change into white jeans (such a good call now that I see the spread!) and we were able to bring the girls (and Charly) back in the photo and that's when we were able to get the final shot!

All in all, the shoot with us took about 5 hours and then they shot a few more vignettes of our kitchen that appear on the next page. I was blown away with our photographer and the entire process was a lot more involved and lengthy than I ever thought. They interviewed us for a good 90 minutes over the phone and that time definitely translated into the article--it feels so personal.

I hope you'll pick up September's issue of Food Network Magazine and check it out! If not for our kitchen, for the 50 late-Night Snacks they have on page 93. Goodness!

See all the before and afters of our kitchen right here.

Kitchen Sources

All Refrigerator, Frigidaire Professional | All Freezer, Frigidaire Professional | Dishwasher, Frigidaire Professional | (2) 30″ Gas ranges, Frigidaire Professional | Microwave, Frigidaire | Sink, Frigidaire | Flooring: Faux wood tile in Nordic Brown, The Tile Shop | Cabinetry: Sektion cabinets in LAXARBY finish, Ikea | Hardware: Mission bin pull in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation | Plank-style black walnut island top, Craft Art | White concrete perimeter countertops, DIY (concrete and forms from Z Counterform)| Counter stools, AllModern | Salt Container: New Norm Jar, AllModern | Runner, Ebay | Paint Color: Hazy Skies, Benjamin Moore | 4×5 White Subway tile, Mission Stone and Tile | Pocket Door, Home Depot (stained with Minwax English Chestnut) | Pocket Door handle, Amazon |Shelf brackets,BlueStoneShelves | Sconces: Alto Sconce, Cedar & Moss | Island Pendants: Mist Corded Pendant, Rejuvenation | Towel bar, Rejuvenation | Dinner bell, Rejuvenation | 250 series low-E triple pane Pella Windows, Lowe’s | Knives and magnetic bars, Wusthof | Faucet: Trinsic Touch2O, Delta Faucet | Pot Filler, Delta Faucet | Stainless pots, pans and Navy bakeware, Anolon | Fruit bowl, Target | Dish towel, Target | Flower vase, Target

Ps. I wore this skirt, these white jeans and my favorite, versatile gray linen tee. This $5 dress on Faye.