My Trip to Film With the Home and Family Show

While all the fun and exciting details are still in my brain, I wanted to give an official run down of my big trip out to LA to film for the Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family! I was selected as one of 25 finalists to come out, film a segment, and *HOPEFULLY* get chosen to come back!  I’m still abuzz from it all and can’t believe it was only a few days ago! Nothing like dirty dishes and squabbling children to snap a gal back to reality…

I flew out on Mother’s Day which, let me tell you, was a WONDERFUL way to spend my evening. A glass of prosecco and two uninterrupted movies on the plane!  (I tried to share the whole experience on Facebook live, so feel free to head over to view some of the broadcasts I made from LA!)  I didn’t have anywhere to be until Monday midday so again… morning television, hot coffee and solo shower… #winning.

The format for the segment is to make a DIY project to share on air. Because the projects usually take longer than the 7 minutes of the segment, we make one version of the craft earlier and then show this as condensed version of the entire thing. If you saw the segment (<—Click for video), then you know that I made a fun macrame mirror! Super  duper simple, but… making all the braids and knots certainly takes longer than 6 or 7 minutes!

On Monday afternoon, I headed over to make sure we had all the necessary supplies to make the mirror. Because of some time constraints, they actually asked me to film my ‘instructional’ video Monday afternoon which was *totally* fine, except for the ‘pretape’ outfit I had all picked out for the next day. Ahhh, vanity. Thankfully I didn’t look too disheveled and this actually meant my film day was MUCH more relaxed! We worked right out in the open outside their ‘garage’…

In order to have a fun ‘glamour’ shot for the episode, I offered to bring a mirror back to my hotel and put the finishing touches on it there. So Monday evening was spent blissfully watching TV and crafting. Can I get an Amen?

Tuesday morning was my film date. Home and Family films each episode live to tape the day before since it airs so early. This is fancy speak for what they film is EXACTLY what you see… they just hold off on broadcasting until early the next morning.  There wasn’t too much to do on Tuesday thankfully other than go over my answers to some obvious questions in my head and do a quick run through with the hosts, Cristina and Mark.

I’d like to interrupt this post to mention that the other guests could NOT have been more in my wheel house: Real Housewife of New Jersey Dina Manzo and Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan. (Can you see a liiiiiittle bit of enthusiastic crazy in my eyes right here?!)

The episode starts with everyone sitting around chatting. And what you see is exactly how it seems! I have Debbie Matenopoulos on one side laughing and whispering. Dina Manzo and her pup Gracie on the other side making comments… just like it would be if we were all sitting around in real life without cameras! I did my own hair and makeup for the most part but had a BIG time touch-up assist from the experts. Made SUCH a difference.

My DIY segment was third, so I got to watch Cristina make glitter donuts. I knew I had to cut to my segment so the thought of having a mouthful of donut with glitter stuck to my teeth kept me from INHALING my whole plate. They were delicious!!

I found out a few minutes before the show that they wanted me to play a fun Heads Up game with housewife, Dina Manzo. You don’t have to ask me twice to play a game! If I only had a trophy case, this bad boy would be front and center! (DIY trophy case, anyone… there’s an idea!!)

In a nutshell? Best. Day. Ever. (Professionally speaking… obvy childbirth and marriage and stuff was better.) The whole team over there was kind and gracious and inviting. For a tired mama of 5 from Southport, CT… I felt like a real super star!

My flight home was that same night so I tried to decompress from the excitement in the airport… it wasn’t easy! I’m still floating on air! I’d LOVE to head back for the finals! I’m afraid there was STIFF competition in my week with two amazing DIYers following me… I’m not sure my social media muscles are big enough to compete, but I’ve been SO touched and humbled by the sweet comments that people are leaving on both my site and over on Home and Family’s Facebook page.  I hope you know that I’ve read every single one and can’t thank you enough!

Stay tuned… I’ll try and remember to update this page when I find out about the next round. If you’re so inclined, head over to the Home and Family Facebook page and leave a comment/ like/ or share the post with my big ol’ mug. Here’s the link—> CLICK HERE.