What happens when hundreds of décor-obsessed do-it-yourselfers converge in one location for 48 hours?
No one knows! It’s never been done before! (Although something tells me the Crowne Plaza in Atlanta is getting a fresh coat of paint and some updated wall art.)
I’m attending the first-ever Haven Conference for DIY and home décor bloggers this June, which means I’ve got just over two months to grow out my eyebrows, lose my Fargo-esque Midwestern accent, and…oh, I don’t know…maybe actually blog about a home-related project or two?
Lately, my most common DIY projects are taping Kate’s artwork to the fridge and changing the toilet paper roll, but some of you may remember that I actually started as a home décor blogger. I’ve always loved decorating and organization, and while I may not blog about it as much now as I used to, it’s still a very present part of my life.
That said, here’s the deal: I’m afraid I’m going to arrive at Haven and they’re going to kick me out.
“Mom Blogger!” they’ll yell as they chase me out of the Crowne Plaza with their paint rollers and power drills.
“Imposter!”
“WINO!” one (or several) of them will yell—at which point I’ll stop running, turn to look, thinking someone just offered me wine, and I’ll get maced in the face with a can of spray paint.
This is how it all plays out in my head when I find the time to blog and chose to write about Kate singing her ABCDs instead of this totally awesome desk I refinished last summer that’s just begging to see the light of the internet. (Not to mention the updates I’ve made to the room it’s now sitting in that I haven’t photographed since 2008.)
This is what happens when you get knocked up, people.
Correction: This is what happens when I get knocked up. Everyone else is still a home décor blogging rockstar. I am now a potty-training and nutrition obsessed parent who still fluffs her 64 throw pillows and reorganizes the Tupperware drawer when the lids get a little unruly…I just can’t be bothered to take pictures of any of it.
Well that’s about to change!
I have all sorts of home-related posts I’ll be publishing between now and June so they don’t kick me out when I arrive at Haven. And you know that cute little offspring I like to blame for turning me into a Mommy? She’s moving to a “big girl room” soon which means…drumroll please….
TWO rooms to redecorate!
The Circle Room will become Kate’s new bedroom, and her nursery will become an upstairs playroom. I’m so excited to get started with these transformations!
Stay tuned for the return of home decor, DIY projects, organization, and, of course, wine drinking while painting, on All Things G&D!
(You knew it was just a matter of time before it’d be back, right?)
UPDATE: Now that it’s over, read all about my Haven experience in the posts below!
The Haven Conference: Day 1
The Haven Conference: Day 2
The Haven Conference: Day 3
Things Loved in June
Lol!
I’m looking forward to see your new projects… I love that kind of posts, but I also love reading about Kate! I love reading your blog, your sense of humor and your pictures.
Your fellow bloggers at Haven would be stupid to kick you out (wine or not)! Looking forward to your upcoming home decor posts — I’m always in need of a little inspiration!
Yay! So excited for you D! I love ya either way. I met you as a home blogger on the nest but got knocked up the same time as you and love to read your stories about Kate.
I am so freaking excited! I can’t wait to see all of your home decorating/organization posts!! Although I really do enjoy all mommy/Kate posts as well! I get so many good ideas from you! Look forward to reading everything!
She’s BACK, BABY! I can’t wait to see your room re-dos! 😀 And I also can’t wait to see you at Haven! Party in our room, Havenistas.
YAYAYA! I’m excited! I always love your DIY projects! Your house is so beautiful and organized, love your taste!!!
You will be among your people. You can find me at the bar! *wink*
Can’t wait!
Kate
Yay! I got DIY sidetracked by getting knocked up with baby #2 the month after I started blogging, so I’m dipping my toe in the decor world again by going to Haven as well. Go big or go home, I say!
I figured if we arrive with chalkboard painted wine glasses they *might* let us in without any questions. 😉 See you there?!
This is going to be so fun! Can’t wait to watch the transformations… It’s going to be awesome!
I’ve loved your topics since Kate came along, but I definitely can’t wait to see some posts about decor.
Erin @ The Great Indoors
Shut the wine fridge. I am so excited that you will be there! I literally am going to tackle you. Consider yourself warned
xo – kb
Yay!!! Can’t wait to see what changes are on the horizon!
I love your blog no matter what you write. I like peeks into your life. If you run out of projects you can visit me and makeover my home. Oh wait I’m like 4000 miles away.
Um, hello! Do I, or do I not have the best readers EVER?! I have to admit, I was a little worried back in the day when I hung up my wine goggles for 9 months and then went all “Mom” and you guys, but look at you–you’re still here! Still sharing in my life. Still saying hello. Still saying, “It’s about damn time you get back to decorating your damn Mom House!”
Ah. I love you guys. I really do. Thank you so much for hanging in there with me!
Sidebar: Don’t for one second think that this means I’m done blogging about my child. Pft. As soon as I hit “Publish Your Comment” I’m off to craft yet another All Things Kate post. BUT. A house-related post is coming on Wednesday! That’s the new me. A little bit of Mom stuff. A little bit of house stuff. A little bit of fashion stuff.
Somebody grab me a cape. I’m about to get all SuperBlogger up in here.
@Karen at Home: Are you coming to Haven as well? I’d love to meet you!
@Beth: YES! Party in our hotel room–WOOT! Minibars are for wimps. I anticipate us having a fully stocked bar in about 2.8 seconds after check-in.
Save me a seat, Kate! One or both of us will need to work on a a plan for “no slip hangovers.” I got a little too excited about that concept before I did my re-read. PS. It’s 7:30pm my time. Chardonnay is in hand.
@Carrie–I can already tell we’re going to be friends for 3 reasons:
1. You used the phrase “knocked up.”
2. “Go big or go home” is my motto. Hell yeah.
3. You mentioned wine.
See you at Haven, girl!
@Katie Bower–You should know I work out. You can try to tackle me, but I’ll probably block you like Refrigerator Perry!
Oh hell, I don’t even know who Refrigerator Perry is. I just know his name because I’ve seen Runaway Bride 1,248 times, lol! I will most certainly let you tackle my ass and I will enjoy every minute of it. Can’t wait to meet you!!
@Jen–I’ll start saving my miles!
shes’s back!!!!
I am pretty sure this deserves a parade or something. Streamers, at the very least.
LB
I’m afraid they’ll kick me out because I suck at blogging
Luckily, Beth will be there to defend me if necessary. I think.
Yay, so glad to see you back to the craftiness!
I’m trying to get knocked up right now (was in Feb, but it didn’t stick), so I’ll hopefully know what you mean about the shift in focus very soon, lol.
Creeper alert: I live just outside Madison, and sometimes I wish I’d run into you at the store or something and we’d become friends. Except that I’d never recognize you, and even if I did I would never ever actually say hello to someone I didn’t know, so you don’t actually need to have any worries, haha!
Wine drinking while painting! We’re kindred spirits.
Keep it up!
LOL! Thanks LizzieBeth!
@Heather: No worries, girl. Looking forward to meeting you!
@Kate: I’m so sorry to hear about your previous pregnancy. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that you have a healthy pregnancy soon! Your “creeper alert” cracked me up. If you ever do run into me (and recognize me) I hope you say hi! Unless of course I look like ass. Then you can just pretend it never happened, hahaha.
Cheers Amy!
Good – there might be some awkward leg humping involved. Sherry said she’s gonna jump on too. Just saying…be prepared.
xo – kb
LMAO at “DustyHumper” Katie!!!! Oh I can’t wait, lol!
THIS, this is why I LOVE your blog maybe a tad too much! I swear in a non-creeper kinda way though!
This last post and all of your hilarious comments from you and all of your readers is why I keep coming back to read! As much as I love your decorating skills, you sure don’t have to give up the mom posts too! They are adorable. Anyways, can’t wait to see what’s next!
I love that you get to go to this. You are going to have so much dang fun! Katie Bower? Centsational Girl? Who else is invading Hotlanta?? I’ll have to check out the website.
jbhat
LOL! Thanks Adinda! I love hearing from people who get my sense of humor. No worries–the Kate posts will always be a part of the blog! I could never not write about the biggest and best part of my life. <3
Thanks jbhat! I’m really excited. John and Sherry from Young House Love will be there too (along with their adorable daughter, Clara). Of course there are a ton of other lovely people planning to attend, I just don’t know them–yet!
I remember reading now that they would be the keynote speakers….fun! YHL is where I “met” you. Your inspired post about how to pin down your bedskirt, right?
jbhat (again)
@jbhat: Yes, that was me! Wow, what a great memory you have! So glad you found me. It was meant to be.
Yah, I guess I first started reading after a search on nursery decor ideas. Ever since then it’s been a real treat to read about your Mom experiences since you are a year ahead of me! I can always use help organizing anything these days!! Even the thought of you redoing a desk got me excited. We are crammed for space with all the toys taking over! CC
Thank you so much CC! It’s fun hearing how you found me. So glad you joined the party!
Holy moly, I have no idea who you are or how I found you tonight, but I’m going to Haven too and would love to meet you! Love, LOVE, love your writing style and every thumbnail on your sidebar is speaking to me!! I am dead tired but definitely saving your site to pore through the next time I have a spare moment! Haven will be my first ever blog conference and I’m scared to death already but now you have me the teensiest bit excited!!!
@Natalie: You are too funny, lol! I’m looking forward to meeting you too. We’re going to have a blast at Haven!