Haven 2014: Yep, That Happened (Vol. 1)

I’ve just returned from the 2014 Haven Conference in Atlanta – a nationwide conference for home decor and DIY bloggers.

Okay, that’s lie.

I got home on Sunday, but it’s taken me this long to wake up from the post-Haven sleep-a-thon my almost 35-year-old body required.  I’m now somewhat rested (and mostly detoxed) so let’s hit some highlights, shall we?  In no particular order, while at the Haven Conference, I:

• Introduced myself to Brittany from Pretty Handy Girl by saying, “I’m going to stand here and not move, so you can punch me in the face.”
• Did not dance on any tables, bartops, beautifully styled coffee tables, or hotel parking lots.
• Did, however, “get low” (from the windows to the walls).
• For the first time ever, went to bed on the same day I woke up (once).
• Took all of my photos with my iPhone…even though I packed my DSLR.
• Talked too much about Mini Coopers and Toyota Scions.
• Learned A LOT about things I didn’t already know.  Broke out in a cold sweat.
• Met so many awesome bloggers – some of whom I’m convinced are my soul mates.
• Presented!

I’ll get into all most of that, but first thing’s first.  I have the honor of sharing the Haven experience each year with Beth Bryan from Unskinny Boppy – one of my very best friends in the whole wide world.  Beth and I have been friends for nearly a decade…long before Haven, long before we started our blogs – hell, back before most people had even heard of the word “blog.”  She threw me an unforgettable surprise baby shower when I was pregnant with Kate, got me started on the word “y’all,” made me try my first fried green tomato, and has stayed up with me for many a late night phone call, chat or text session.  In short – I love this girl, I love that we’ve grown in this blog world together, and I love that we get to share in our Haven experience each year.

Every year at Haven we say we’re going to get a good photo of the two of us together and every year we miss the boat.  We forget, we get sweaty, there’s a weird shadow blackening out the picture, we’re blurry…basically, we’ve been cursed.  Until now!  This year we made sure to get a picture together before the kick-off cocktail party:

Since Beth and I arrived in Atlanta a day early, we had all day Thursday free, so we decided to treat ourselves to our very first visits to Drybar – a hair salon that only does blow-outs and stylings.

Atlanta Humidity: 1
Drybar: 0

Lucky for us, we bounce back.  We re-curled, hairsprayed, and were ready to kick off Haven!

I had the pleasure of chatting up lots of lovelies, including Jamison Rantz from Rogue Engineer (a talented new blogger on the scene who also happens to be my dear friend Emily’s brother-in-law…which, in my mind, means we’re now related) and the always adorable Kim from Newly Woodwards.  After the cocktail party I joined Beth, Jamison, Roshel from DIY Show Off, Carrie from Making Lemonade, Karah from The Space Between, and Diane from In My Own Style for dinner.  Unfortunately, I was battling one hell of a headache and wasn’t much for company, so this party girl ended the night early.

But not before a selfie:

You know this isn’t the end.  More Haven recaps coming soon!