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Bower Power

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I was prostrate on the floor…

PERSONAL

…when I saw this:

Oh my bacon bits, this was seriously the best week ever.  Not only did I get to finally share with you, my internet family, the joyful news of my occupied uterus…but then you gave us what I can only describe as the most awesomest gift ever.  EVER.  I would love to say that it was because I actually have the best home design blog on the interwebbs…but that’s not even close to true….I got this award because I have the best, most loving, most generous readers in the universe.  This award speaks volumes about you my sweet friends…and the blessing that you are in my life.

It’s kind of ironic…after all, I’ve never even been featured on Apartment Therapy…I barely squeezed by the uber adorable and stylish Nicole at Making It Lovely during the nomination round….and, well, heavens knows my blog can’t be labeled as just one thing…it’s more of an-everything-in-my-life-and-crazy-brain blog than just strictly a design blog.

And as if the bacon-farm wasn’t enough, you also threw in a pork-flavored-Snuggie to boot.  Yup you voted Bower Power into second place of the DIY blog category – which is more than I could ever ever imagine.

So when the winners were announced, I pretty much laid on the floor face down with my arms and legs out – reverse snow angel style – and tried desperately to understand how I could be so lucky to have you all.  Because that’s what it comes down to….not an online award…..but the real prize is knowing you.  I say that with the most sincerity that an awkward hormonal jokester can possibly muster.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

And you definitely want to check out the rest of the finalists….each one brings a different look and style but with the same passion and love for home design:

And I would be remiss to fail to mention a huge congratulations to A Beautiful Mess for winning the DIY category.  Also a big fat toosh squeeze to all the other finalists:

If you have a chance and fall into some excessive free time (like just take a night’s vacation from Pinterest and you’ll instantly have four hours) – you might want to check out all of the nominations over there at Apartment Therapy – there are a ton of blogs that are amazing.

And now I’m off to get a little glass of sparkling pear juice to raise a celebratory toast to you and recreate some ridiculous photo montages with my darling boy toy….

BEST WEEK EVER!

 

p.s.  The photo strip pictures are from my sister’s wedding back in September – I have no idea why we took a picture of me pointing to Jeremy’s belly….but it’s very awkward.  and weird.  and I apologize if it’s construed as slightly PG13.

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Comments

  1. Congratulations Katie!! That photo strip is hilarious, you guys sure look like you had fun that night!!

  3. I think this post is a great example of why you have such loyal readers. We all want to be your BFF. Congratulations on such an amazing week. You deserve it!

  4. Congratulations AGAIN Katie! 🙂 You know the reason we all keep coming back isn’t just for your awesome DIY skills, it’s because once we find this blog, we all feel a connection to YOU. YOU are what makes your blog special and unique. You’re a cut above the rest KB! You deserved to win 🙂

    -Rachel

  5. Three things:
    1) I’m so happy you won!
    2) I’m so happy you’re pregnant 🙂
    3) I’m so happy I’m not the only one who looks at the screen instead of the lens in a photobooth.

  6. So bummed at your winning. Your ethos seems so far off from Apartment Therapy, which features creative design and responsible and thrifty methods. A Mcmansion full of a bunch of crap from big box stores is not what America needs to see right now. If your readership goes up because of this, I hope you will consider representing a more responsible approach to home design.

  7. WAHOOOOO!!!!! Way to go Katie Bower of Bower Power! Thanks for thanking us, your fans – but you really do deserve this win! Now bask in the glory 🙂

  8. i couldn’t watch the video before (because videos + work = bad, even if you’re on your lunch break) and i was super confused when i read about your occupied uterus here. i was like, “what? how did i miss that?” SO A BELATED CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND THE BOYFRIEND!

  9. I squealed outloud when I saw the results of the vote just after voting ended. I was a proud, proud e-friend.

    I know about most of the other nominated blogs, but I see a couple that I hadn’t heard of before and will enjoy exploring.

    As for the stomach picture? You were just trying to point out The Situation, mayhaps?

  10. Congratulations! On both accounts. I have been following for a while now and was so happy for you when I read you were pregnant. I can imagine the homies are really the icing on the cake!

  11. Congratulations Katie, you are sweet. Keep up the great work and for keeping it real.

  15. YAAAAYYYYYY! Congratulations!!!! This is so well-deserved 🙂 And I’m excited to check out the rest of the blogs! I already frequent The Lettered Cottage and Ana White, but the rest are new to me. PS: You changed your blog header again! I love it!

  17. WHOOOOOOOO! You deserve it lovely lady 🙂 There’s a reason readers keep coming back for more!

    Also, I love your new header, I think it’s super cute.

  22. i’m glad you weren’t prosTATE on the floor. (it’s unfortunate. . .and hilarious. . .that those two words are so similar. )

    anywho, i just wanted to say that you have a fantastic readership BECAUSE your blog is so awesome. of course we all thought you should win! blog preferences are such a subjective thing, since a blog is so, so, so colored by the writer of the blog. all those other nominees have great blogs, too, but YOU won because so many of us love all your home design/DIY/style info AND all the fun extras (pictures of your redneck family, your love of jesus and bacon) that go into your blog.

    in the words of that lady from the boniva commercial. . . we love you, we really love you!

  24. Congrats Katie! This really was a wonderful week for you (good things always happen to those who wait) and I am so excited for all of your good news. You definitely deserve this award though because you have an eye for those details that take your decor up to the next level!

  26. Katie B!!!! Congratulations!! and Congratulations!!! I’ve been on vacation for the last week and boy, I missed a LOT!! I’m so excited for your much deserved award and recognition! Now, others will love you like we love you!! They’ll realize how much they’ve missed out on not having you bookmarked on their desktop, laptop and ipad! DIY, adorable Will, your quirky sense of humor and of course bacon too!! We love you!
    I have to admit though that I am MOST excited about your baby news!!!!!! Woohoo!!!! I believe God gives you (us) the desires of your heart and he’ll grant those desires in HIS timing (kinda sounds like I’m calling God a genie and I’m not…hopefully you know what I mean). Anyway, I’m super-excited for you! My husband and I are waiting on His timing for ourselves too so its always nice to hear that it does happen!! Does NOT make me want to punch you!!!! Makes me smile!!! Congrats!!!!!
    (Ok, so I’ll end my novel here!!) Can’t wait to watch your family grow!!!!

  28. Hurrah! Congratulations Katie!! I know you keep me wildly entertained, snort laughing, crying (in joy, in sympathy) and then you do something awesome with a re-claimed hutch or window film, so I learn plenty here too. Enjoy your wonderful week of fabulousness for the whole of March at least – you’ve earned it!

  29. Congrats Katie! You really deserve it 🙂

    I was just trying to explain to my hubby why I’m so happy for you. He doesn’t seem to understand how I can be so excited for someone that I don’t actually know. I’ve been following your blog for a few months now and I love it. I’m super excited for you even though we’ve never met 🙂 Congrats on your Homie!

  30. Congratulations!! Super duper pooper exciting!! As a new fan (heard about you from Apartment Therapy Homies post) I’m thrilled for you!! And, look forward to a future filled with laughter, good tips, and watching your belly grow!

  31. Congrats on both accounts! Thanks for keeping us amused and informed all at the same time. Right now I’m looking for a job so if you can send a little of that luck my way, I’d appreciate it!

  32. Well, since you don’t fnd it odd to consider us friends, I’ll share in that feeling – and that is the reason why you triumph in things like this! You deserve this! 🙂 And I cannot wait to go along with your new baby-journey and of course, selfishly I am excited about all the new DIY decor blogs to come as a result of new baby! You’re awesome, it’s true.

  36. Hi Sally –
    After googling “ethos”, I must say that for the most part you are right – I do live in a big house…I do buy goods from Target & Ikea & the Pottery Barn outlet…and I totally understand if you think that’s not ‘responsible’….BUT probably half the stuff we own is from Goodwill & hand-me-downs & thrift store, we built our own bed and we buy off Craigslist because of our uber-tight budget. I know that most people on Apartment Therapy have a very different aesthetic than I do….which is fine…but I challenge you to have an open mind…because one person’s “crap” is another persons home.
    xo – kb
    p.s. Thanks for being nice with your constructive criticism 🙂

  37. Woot-woot! Congrats, Katie! You deserve it! Your blog is fun and quirky, and since I’ve been reading for a year+, I think I can safely say it’s ALL YOU – nothing copied, nothing fake! And YOU won! What does that say about YOU? You’re awesome!

    I really do believe you love your readers and that’s why I voted for you over the other blogs that, to me, are little more than (super good and very informative) tutorials/references. I emailed you a link one time and you emailed me back and then I emailed you back and you emailed me back… it was almost like George Strait emailed me back. Okay, maybe not George (let’s not get crazy!), but, like Tim McGraw or something. 😉 A celebrity! A celebrity emailed me back.! (A HOMIE emailed me back! ) And it was just about a link. I didn’t ask you a question or anything, you certainly didn’t have to respond – but you did. That really spoke to me, and I know you really appreciate your readers.

    Enjoy your super week!

  38. Congratulations! You guys totally deserve this. And congratulations on the pregnancy – can’t wait to follow along! Your video was so sweet! I’m a sometimes lurker, but just wanted to say congrats and that I’m praying for you to have a healthy, happy pregnancy!

  39. Congratulations on the win, you certainly do deserve it. If I need a dose of happy, I come to your blog. You make me laugh out load as I read random sentences back to my husband. You are an amazing mom and give me great ideas of things to do with my 18 month old boy. You will be a fabulous mom to 2, congratulations! I’m so happy for your wonderful week.

    Jessica

  40. I think Sally gets it all wrong. While you guys do live in an enormous house, I think you do make a real effort to reuse, repurpose, and breathe new life into old pieces. Beyond that, you’re honest, real, and unpretentious. I live in a vintage condo in Chicago and have a slightly different aesthetic, but I genuinely enjoy all of your posts and the spirit you bring to the blogging world. Maybe it’s my good old Oklahoma upbringing, but I think constructive criticism need not be nasty. In a world where so much of our discourse is heightened and rife with ad hominem attacks, I think there’s a lot more to get riled up about than a sweet blog. I’m not sure how much we really have in common, but I like you a lot. As long as what you do remains thoughtful, from the heart, and snort-milk-out-of-your-nose hilarious, keep doing what you’re doing.
    Mazel tov on the win and your pregnancy!

  41. Sally – let’s not take ourselves too seriously here. If you have a prob with Katie’s blog, don’t read it. If you let the winner of the “Homie Awards” cause this strong of a reaction, perhaps you need to reexamine your priorities.

  42. Boy, I haven’t read for a week and have apparently missed a lot!

    I am SOOOOO excited about your occupied ute!!! Yay!

    Also, congrats on the blog award thingie! Woot!

  43. Congratulations!!! I am so happy you’ve won, you’ve been my number one blog since I discovered you a year ago. Your blog has been such a source of inspiration and hope that one day I’ll be as creative and as great of a DIYer as you and Jeremy are!! We just started our first “big”renovating job on our half bath which shouldn’t be that hard but oh boy, it’s tough being a newbie!! 🙂 Anyways, Congratulations again and thank you so much for all you do. You totally deserve this award!!

  45. Enjoy laying on your belly while you still can! 🙂 At 7 months pregnant I tried to lay on my belly to take a picture of my sweet nephew and my best friend’s baby and it totally didn’t work! 🙂 Weirdest feeling ever!
    Congratulations on the award!

  46. Ugh, it’s terrible that people think they can be so blatantly rude to you over this. Comments sections sure make people brave, yes? In a very small (and significantly less rude way), I can kind of see where they are coming from in that your blog isn’t solely about home design. I’ve always thought of your blog as more of a lifestyle one. It’s definitely evolved as your life has progressed and that’s fine – you’ve always said that your blog is about what is going on with you at that specific time. I appreciate that your content is well rounded and varies from day to day. So do I think that you are ‘just’ a home design blog? No. But I like you anyway – and a whole lot at that! I wonder if people are just getting their panties in a twist because your content isn’t 100% home design, but even if that were the case, there really is no reason for them to be so rude.

    Congratulations on winning a Homie!

  48. Congrats to you on winning a homie and the fab baby news. What a week it must have been for you all. I just love your blog and reading about your gorgeous family.

    Victoria

  50. Congrats on the win & the baby! This is the first time I have commented. I had to tell you that I am so happy for you!!

  51. 🙂 Well deserved Katie! I loved your blog from the time I started reading it for your decorating style, but I have come to love your family and reading about your life too. You are also hilarious! Bacon humor is my fav 🙂 Congrats!!

  52. Fabulous! I just saw that you’d won on AT and I came right over here to say congrats!

  55. Well, since Katie B is the better southern gal, I’ll say what we’re all thinking – stop drinking the haterade and making unfounded assumptions about a blog you obviously don’t read – if you did you would have known just how very down-to-earth her decor ideas are.

  56. Katie- It’s so wonderful when we can fully appreciate all the blessings God pours down on us. To at last be pregnant is answered prayer. Winning the Homies is icing on the cake. You deserve both. Your readers love you because you are real and have a delightful perspective on life. As for Sally, you can’t please everyone, but I don’t know why people have to be mean-spirited. It’s not the Nobel Prize. You enjoy the ride, girl & keep doing what you’re doing!

  57. I wanted to comment again to say that I think your blog is a very worthy winner, and clearly all the people who also voted for you feel the same way.

    Anyone who read even a few blog posts here would see that you cover a huge range of topics, from taking things you already have and making them beautiful to thrifting and refurbishing and even buying things from “big box stores” and making them your own.

    If your space looks too perfect then it’s because you’ve made it beautiful, and that is something that inspires me in my little old ugly house-that-could.

  59. Katie- you go girl!! your blog is fabulous and its because you aren’t afraid to be open and honest and candid that you won this award! You make this girl laugh every day (and cry sometimes too) and I am so excited for you!! Congrats on such a great couple of weeks (especially the new lil pea you’re growin!)
    Keep on keepin on:)
    Wiley

  61. Hi Katie, I’m Rozana from Malaysia.
    Firstly, Congradulations! you deserve it! Last year your bff Sherry from YHL won it…now its your trun..
    Love your blog so much, ur little man: WILL and your photography.

  62. Soo… I most definatley thought you were “prostate on the floor” and I got really confused… Thought it was some sort of Southern thing. haha

    But…. Congrats! What an awesome week you are having! 🙂 Well deserved!

  63. May I join in with all your readers who are sooooo happy for you for such a wonderful week!

  65. So happy for you Katie! Congratulations on all of your blessings these past few weeks. 🙂

  67. Ahem! I repeat: Have you ever considered a career in interior design? Katie, you are seriously talented, and this award proves it. You didn’t get all of those votes just because people like you. (Although we all like you tremendously.) Many of us, myself included, follow multiple blogs, many of which were nominated in the same categories as Bower Power, and written by equally likeable bloggers. Yet you got the votes. Please don’t sell yourself short. You have good taste, a good eye, a fresh perspective, and a wonderful ability to achieve amazing results on a lean budget. All that, and an endearing personality and a great sense of humor, too; everything you’d need to be a successful decorator. (Sounds like you’re going to be plenty busy in the forseeable future, what with an adorable toddler and another baby on the way. Interior design is something to keep in mind as a possibility once your babies are grown and out of the nest.) Congratulations on your award, and congratulations to you and Jeremy on your “latest project”. I’m glad to see you enjoying the happiness you so richly deserve!

  68. You know, I can too! At first I thought that maybe it was because I talk about my kid or my life…but I don’t really think it comes down to me being 100% a design blog…I think it comes down to the fact that they just don’t like me…and that’s okay…I can’t win em all and I can only do my best. It was good advice when I was 13 and it’s still good now 🙂
    xo – kb

  69. You deserve the honor! Congratulations! Seriously…you have a great eye for home decor and you are an inspiration when it comes to making over old furniture…I marvel at how amazing your projects turn out…I hope that someday your talent will rub off on me, and I can see that same potential…trash to treasure.

  70. oh.my.gosh…. Katie…according to Sally, there is a chance you may actually get some readers (dare I say, Followers) from this. Finally…. someone other than the several thousands of us who appreciate this wonderful little home you’ve created.

    Sarcasm aside (because I don’t do it well), many congratulations on winning this award. It’s well deserved. I read many of the other blogs nominated, and while I love them, the heart is not the same.

    Design is all about the heart…. what good is a beautiful home, if it’s not surrounding a beautiful family. You re-introduced me, inspired me to be a Goodwill Designer. You’re the little voice over my shoulder when I want something I can’t afford, that says, find an alternative and make it yourself.

    Most of all, you’re the breath of fresh air that says, it’s okay to be who you are and what you are…. you make me laugh, you make me cry (oh that last video of yours!) and you teach me so many things about making my safe place, my home, reflect me.

    Congratulations on the award… and to the new followers, Welcome!

  72. Yay! I voted for you! Do you know why? Because you encourage me to diy, to make over my home…slowly, cost effectively, using what I already have. So many blogs out there only make me want more money, want more time, want to change this, want to fix this…NOW! But when I go to your blog…I feel peace (is that weird?). You encourage me. Your blog is so real and makes me appreciate what I have and how I can make what I already have into a home. Its not about being flashy and super trendy and everything done right away. Its about the time and the journey of making a house a home. Thankyou Katie for blogging!

  74. My first comment ever was on your pregnancy post and look at me commenting again! I LOVE your blog because you never know what you’re going to get. I LOVE that you’re so willing to share your family life and anything else that is going on in your life. I also love your sense of style! And who says you have to buy everything from Goodwill to make a good DIY blog?! (ok….who besides Sally? :)). I LOVE how you bring together “name brand” pieces with reused pieces.
    Congratulations on your week! God is good!

  75. Congratulations!! What a great week – you best go down another glass of that sparkling pear juice! 🙂

  78. Congrats, girlfriend! You deserve it 🙂

    Love that homemade Suess hat. I remember having to make those in middle school Home-Ec, blasty blast from the past.

  81. Again, CONGRATS on your win! Occupied uterus…that was too funny and completely worth me choking on my hot tea.

    I heart Katie Bower. Amen. 🙂

  83. So excited for you!!! It has been an amazing time in the Bower household as of late, I suspect! Congratulations on your win and just keep doing what you do. We love you for it!

  84. Congrats!!! You totes deserved winning!! And I had to do everything not to get up and do a happy dance and my desk when I saw the post before that you are preggers!!! I skipped the video because of work last week and had NO IDEA. I’m watching it now, employers be damned! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  89. I’m so glad you won! Congratulations! And “oh my bacon bits” might just be my favorite thing now.

  90. Super congrats! Enjoy the pair juice, I’ll be enjoying my pink champagne. (Or sushi. Or both.)

    🙂

  92. CONGRATULATIONS KB!! OMG, so many congrats all around, what a fabulous month it has been for you! Well deserved on the Homies award.

    And kisses & hugs to you on Baby Bower #2, my dear. Your vid a few posts back had me weepy to no end (watched it whilst nursing Quinn & my big fat tears kept hitting her in the face; she was stoked I’m sure). I know it’s been a long journey & am so thrilled that this beautiful baby is joining your family.

  95. OH hurray!! Congrats on all the wonderful news in your life!!! You really deserve it and I’m so very excited for you to be preggo again. Awesomesauce! Will is gonna make the best big bro.

  97. Um, first, enjoy the PEAR juice, not “pair juice.”

    Second, DUDE. You got almost TWICE the votes that YHL received last year. Just to blow your mind some more.

  99. Congratulations, Katie! That is really fantastic. And I’m so excited for you about the baby! I missed your last couple of posts so I surprised and thrilled to hear your news. Best wishes for good health in the upcoming months. I can tell you that one one most wonderful things is seeing your older child with new baby.

  101. Sally, your what my little brother would call an ” L 7 WEENIE!” (check out “the sandlot” for that reference) heres a reminder: thats someones home, thats someones life, thats someones heart that your being nasty about…. and thats my friend your bullying.

  102. Yay!!!! You TRULY deserve this Katie! You’ve brought a smile to my face every day for he past year since discovering your blog. It’s only fair you get recognized for the hard work and for all the joy you’ve given us, you’re readers 🙂

  106. Congratulations! An idea for the curtains: Use the printed fabric to do just a big hem for the plain curtains, and if still there is some fabric maybe you can use it for some pillows, or even (if it is your style) some cornice for all 3 windows/doors.

  111. Yay!!! So happy Katie!! I absolutely love your blog!! You keep me smiling every day!!

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