Last night, I played Mad Gab with a bunch of church friends. It’s that game with short nonsensical phrases that is supposed to sound like a song title, a common phrase or something like that. The reader called out “Sale May Eye Act”. I was so sure of myself…getting a little too excited and yelled out “SELL MY KAYAK”. Boom I was a winner. And then everyone laughed…the answer was Selma Hayak. But surely boat sales are way more common place, right? That has nothing to do with this post. Just a snippet into the life of Katie Bower where I randomly yell things out loud that aren’t funny.
Also. Max has learned to say more than just “LOOK” and it is so sweet. He can say a whole bunch of other things now and my newest favorite is ‘I don’t know’ which comes out more like ‘Ida know’. Ask him a question and it’s his number one answer. It’s adorable. So now I just make up weird questions like “what is 269 plus 208?” and “is the moon made of cheese?”. The look on his face when he pauses is so cute….like he is really trying to figure out the answer….then the Ida Know. I get pleasure out of such simple things.
Speaking of simple things….this light fixture has lived in our guest bedroom for a while.
It actually is a light my mom gave me….I painted it, switched out the shades and it lived in our old dining room (CLICK HERE TO SEE IT). But as the guest room was decorated, it never really felt like it was meant to be.
I originally thought that maybe I should order this light from West Elm. I love the graceful look about it. The single wire thing irritates me a little tiny bit and I saw a couple photos where it was installed and the wire looked a little loose or bent. Was that installation error? Maybe. Maybe that is why I never ordered it. Maybe it was the size. At 29″ diameter, it seemed really big for my space. But the simplicity of it was exactly what I was going for. (y’all…don’t get me wrong…I still love this light. I think I actually might order it for LJ & Max’s room in black especially since right now it is 20% off and free shipping!!!)
But then when I saw this guy from World Market, I just knew that this was the one for the space. At 23.5″ diameter the size was perfect. The arms weren’t long and graceful – it definitely is more compact of a light…but it has 8 bulbs vs. 6 so I didn’t doubt that it would provide sufficient lighting.
Plus, the ad shows that the arms do pivot so that meant I could do a slightly turned action to give it that West Elm vibe.
The arms being the right size really helped push me into the purchase but it also helps to know that the color is usually spot on for World Market and they have decent prices so I knew it was the one to pull the trigger on.
The only awkward part about World Market lights is that they are notoriously hard to shorten. Like SERIOUSLY HARD. This one came preassembled and the key was taking off the metal bracket (2 screws) and the ceiling plate (this little stack of nuts and washers)…
And then clipping the wires to get the mounting bolt thing off. I have no idea what it’s called but the wires go through it and it holds the whole light fixture up and screws it onto the plate so it’s kinda important. Let’s just call it the important thing. Cutting the wires short meant rethreading them through the important thing….which was ridiculous. The hole was too small and jamming the wires in took us stripping the sheathing off one wire and using pliers to get it through. As someone that is a pro at stuffing things into holes (easy there Shelby…I’m talking DIY) this was FAR from easy.
Finally we did get the extra rod removed and everything reassembled….and then Jeremy mounted everything back up.
We decided that the arms would look best at an angle. And I love the bulbs that came with it. (that was a surprise by the way since I didn’t read that in the description) The amber glass is really pretty right?!
Here is the before and after for a comparison…
But now I am thinking that I don’t love the animal print window thing. What do you think? Too much? Lots of fun? I’m hoping that I can do the last few things I need to for this room and then share a big reveal with y’all. It would be majorly epic….calling it done. I mean….I never do that….finish a room 🙂
Also….I was thinking about something recently. Would you guys like it if I posted like every day at a certain time? I am thinking 10am. And it wouldn’t be all DIY all the time…sometimes it would….sometimes it would just be a post without pictures…sometimes a post entirely of pictures…sometimes just random ramblings. Is that dumb? I kinda miss the good ole days where I did that and I thought I should put it out there to you….yes or no?
1 – Cute fixture! 2 – I like the animal print but it would be more beneficial if you panned out for us to see the bedding, too. 3 – Sure a consistent scheduled post would be great, but would that be realistic for you, a Mom of 4 with #5 on the way? I say whatever works best for you and your family.
Yes, I enjoy your photo and blog rambles!
Yes! Would love a little daily snippet at a certain time. That’s what I always loved about YHL, always a consistent time to check things out! But I still check your page like 10 times a day to see if there’s anything new, so that’s always a fun surprise too
I love everything about this room… the only thing I would change is the window thing you mentioned.
That light is gorgeous!!
Can you post a link to your first blog post? I have been reading since Will was a babe and want to go back to the earlier days and re-read but can’t figure out how to get back that far.
P.s HUGE congrats on baby #5!!!!
Love the light, love the angles. But yeah, the yellow zebra isn’t on point.
Love that light! And I vote yes to everyday (even if it’s just ramblings or random pictures). But I wouldn’t be offended if you didn’t post everyday because that’s a lot of work!
Yes! Ramble away!
Love the animal print valance…a bit unexpected…an element every room needs. Would love tutorial on that ( or has it already been posted?).
YES on an every day post!! That would be amazing!
I sparkly-heart love that new light fixture, but I agree that the fabric on the valance doesn’t work as well anymore. I think it’s the yellow – it kind of looks like it’s trying to be gold, but not quite getting there. The shape of the valance still looks awesome, though!
I love a daily bit of Bower words, but rather you not feel forced to put a post together.
Regular daily posts would be awesome!!!
Yes! I love your random posts!
You post. I’ll read… In other words, I enjoy 90% of your posts.
My vote is yes. 🙂
I feel like the animal print doesn’t go with vibe of the room now. Also, I would love it if you posted every day at the same time, but it’s not that big of a deal. Right now I check the blog like 2 billion times a day to see if something new has posted. Knowing that all posts go up around the same time would be amazing. (I’m sure my employer would appreciate the time saved on my part as well.) Also, the more posts the better for me, but I don’t want you to overextend yourself. I’ll read anything you write, but please don’t ever feel like you HAVE to write something just for us to read. We’ll survive if you don’t post for a day or two or six. You will be missed, but we’ll survive.
Yes! Can’t get enough bowerpower!
Love the new light! This a cool room for your guests!
Also – LOVE the idea of whatever random posts! Simple, no pics, all pics and no words – all about the boys, about your day, the shoes you wear, makeup you love – all of it would be fun! 🙂 I love your blog.
Hi Katie! Happy Monday! (Oof!) And Happy 1st day of Spring Eve!!
While I like (actually love) the idea of seeing a post every day, I don’t think you should put that pressure on yourself! Post when you can, we are always happy when we see a new post up from you!! Just a short little paragraph or line or 2 and a picture is fun in between “real” posts– just not a picture/pictures with no words though — you can do that on Instagram! Just my opinion!
Yes.
Regular times are always helpful…however I just check back all of the time to see if new posts are up. It adds a little mystery, and then when I see a new post has been added I get super excited! Share it all. I am single and still love to hear about your family!
Anytime you post is a good time! Just keep ‘ um coming.
That light is beautiful and perfect!
Yep! I would love if you did a daily blog.
Hey!! I say no to the animal window treatment. It is nice don’t get me wrong, but takes away / competes with the new light and other details of the room. You really could get away with just having the blinds.
Also, I definitely think you should post everyday at 10am. I can almost always guarantee that I am bored out of my mind at work and look forward to reading your blog everyday. I would read it anyways even if I wasn’t bored of course 🙂
Definite yes 🙂
Yes! I love the idea of you posting every day. The mix of DIY, life, pictures, random, etc is a great idea. Congrats on baby #5.
I like the animal print valance better with the new light. But I am REALLY into animal print right now. Sexy.
Also, I would like if you posted every day at a certain time, but that is a lot of posting. 🙂
Love love love the light. Not a fan of the animal print but truth be told, I’d also never wear animal print unless I was going to an 80s themed costume party.
Finally, I love the idea of a quick random rambling! I check in every day regardless but with bloggers posting less and less because now content seems to need to be so “produced,” I love the idea of more spontaneous posts!
Yes to daily updates! Love the variety of posts too – trips, parties, DIY, crafts. Congrats on #5 as well!
I would love a post every day! I love all your posts but the family ones are my favorite!
Love the light and I agree the animal print does seem a little too much but maybe it’s because of all the gold color is at the the top of the room, does that make sense?
Yes to a daily post!
YES, I love regularly scheduled daily posts about nothing! I’d be into that! Also I agree with your concern over the animal print window cornice-thing: it could probably be improved upon.
Just my opinion – but you asked – YES! I would like a regularly timed posting schedule.
Hi, the light is fabulous! Love it. Anytime you post is fine with me.
Yes!!
Love the idea of 10 am posts!
Mad gab sounds fun!
Yes to posts, big and small, random and sponsored. If it’s not too much. We don’t want you to get burned out.
Yes, please change the yellow animal print valance. It doesn’t fit with the light, which is fantastic, btw! Something to go with those navy dotted pillows would look great.
Yahoo! I NEVER liked that original light in here (I don’t much like it at all) because I never felt like it was modern enough! I absolutely love the new fixture!!
Also, I was never on the animal print train either, I would love to see it go! Since there’s a gold and brown theme going on, could you try a creamy linen? Or even a light grey linen texture material to tie in with the wall colour? I feel there’s too much going on with all the artwork and the paneled wall right beside it.
Love the room anyway, love the new light, love the progress and love Maxi’s Ida Know 😉
xx
I would love to see daily posts from you. Time of day doesn’t really matter to me. My favorite posts are DIY, photography and how you manage life with all those adorable kiddos. I tend to skip the fashion related posts as those just aren’t my thing.
Yes!
I’m in a timezone @ 16 hours ahead of where you are, so posting the same time every day isn’t such a big deal to me. I’ll see it when I can. If it makes it easier for you to have a schedule like that, I say go for it. If it puts stress on you I say don’t worry about it 🙂
Yes please to the posts on rambling, I miss those :).
I wouldn’t mind some stream of consciousness posts everyday. But I read you in the morning with breakfast at 7:30 at work. So, I would be reading you a day late every day….
Yes, please
Long time reader. I would love an every day post at a scheduled time. Checking your blog (and a few others) are my little morning breather from work.
I’d love to read a post just ONCE where you don’t reference something online trolls have said. Seems petty. Comes with the blogging territory so it seems like you would be able to handle it by now. Oh well.
Love the new light, and I would say no to the animal print cornice box (???) on the window, doesn’t look quite right to me with the light and the mirror. Maybe it’s too much of the yellow/gold? Or the window thing is a little more wild and the light looks more sophisticated? Whatever you decide I’m sure it will look great in the final reveal. And I would love it if you posted every day at a set time! Love having something dependable to read when I’m on my break.
I am typically not an animal print lover (or a person who comments on posts), however, I think that the valance looks fantastic with the rest of the room. It keeps it light and fun. (Congratulations on all your recent announcements,; baby, camper, staying sane with all the birthday parties/holidays.)
I don’t care for the animal print material on the window. It does not match the vibe of that lovely modern mceiling light. But I do think a picture of the whole room with the new light in it would be better so we could see everything all together.
Yes, post everyday at 10am, I miss it.
I really enjoy the DIY, but honestly come back the random ramblings. Not enough Blogs have random ramblings any more.
Yes!! Would love that!
I would be *eternally* happy with daily posts (I check almost daily anyways lol), but I don’t want to see you burn out! I’m happy with whatever works with your life 🙂
Yes, would love to hear from the Bowers daily
Very neat! But I also like the old one– I tend to like the traditional look. And If dusted, it might look new 😉 kidding…don’t look at my dusty ceiling fixtures! I have PLENTY. The new fixture adds a lot of fun. By the way, did you ever post Maxi’s birth story? I love reading those!
I say yes; but that’s purely selfish because I love reading your blog and following along with your beautiful family.
As always, you crack me up! 🙂
Love the new light. It looks great in the space. Plus I think I have found the light for my dining room- the west elm one in all black. 🙂
I really enjoy all your posts, so it’s a definite yes from me.
Yes I love the idea of steam of consciousness posts! Not just here for the cute decor, but also the cute babies 😉
Ramble away…
Hi!
I have read your blog for quite a while an love it. When you post don’t matter to me. I live in Sweden so I read it when I can.
The great ting about your blog is that it is not just the pretty pictures and perfect afters. I agree a room is never finished anyway!
I really don’t like that animal print and I don’t think that the the yellow works well with the brass and gold things. New lamp is great!
And congratulations to the baby on the way!
And you made me ramble in a comment!
Take care and keep writing and I will keep reading!
Oh I wasn’t referencing the trolls…I was referencing my mother.
xo – kb
Yes to daily posts, no matter what content!
Hi Katie, I am a Canadian girl who’s been reading your blog since the beginning of your babies. Congrats on # 5 on the way. I am happy that you post daily ( how do you do it!????) By the time I read your posts it’s after 9:00 p.m. For me, i say what works for you and your family?
I would LOVE to hear a day in the life of Katie Bower! I wonder how you do it all as a mom and business owner. Thanks so much for giving us readers what you do. Truly an inspiration to others.
I don’t care about blogging on a schedule. I subscribe by email so I get notified when there’s a new post and read it when I have time.
I was just noticing the animal print in yellow and thinking I should incorporate that somehow in my house when you said you might change it. So my vote is to keep it cause I think it looks good.
I’m not a huge fan of animal print, but I love me a geometric print. I love what I can see of the room!! Daily blogs would be fun!
Hi Katie. Is this fixture bright enough as the only source of light for a room? Thinking about using it in my dining room, but I need sth that really illuminates it. I’d appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
It depends – this room is a fairly bright room to start with and so I think it definitely is brighter than average as a light fixture because the number of bulbs. You could always switch them out too…if the ones that came with it aren’t bright enough.
xo – kb