I know I have probably blathered on more than enough about the Haven Conference, but I hope you’ll indulge me once again! I have to share some fun pics and tell you all about this brave venture into my FIRST bloggy conference.
At this conference I had to kiss my introvert tendencies goodbye and reeeeally try to be outgoing and put myself out there… striking up convos and meeting new people!
“Hi, I’m Renee” with hand thrust forward became my easy lead in to meeting any and all random persons, followed closely by, “Here’s mah card!” {Whether you want it or not. I’ve got 500 of these, people!}
Luckily most bloggers usually have a LOT to say otherwise they probably wouldn’t be blogging, right?
It was AWESOME, FABULOUS, AMAZING, MARVELOUS and all kinds of other words to meet so many people who’s eyes don’t glaze over or puzzle when you say you’re a blogger. :)
What was even cooler and very much odd was meeting bloggers that I REGULARLY read and feel as though I know! I had to stop and clear my head to let in sink in that I was meeting and/or talking to my real life Bloggy Superstars!
Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick was the first Home Blogger I ever followed after a friend shared her post on facebook November of 2009! {Thank you, Christy!!}
One thing I love about reading Sarah’s blog is that she doesn’t ever seem to put on a show. LOVE that. She’s real and doesn’t mind sharing her faults as well as her successes!
Not long after I found Sarah, I stumbled upon Traci at Beneath my Heart. Traci is a frugal, dedicated Christian, and awesome DIY-er! She is also a former teacher with four boys!
I love that Traci has a gift for making everyone feel as though they are someone special to her. This girl is funny. I’m talking funny. It doesn’t take long for her comedian side to come out and have everyone around her cracking up!
One super awesome “moment” of my time at the conference was sitting down over lunch and just chatting with her and a few other ladies.
Did I mention she is funny??
We were supposedly doing a “crazy shot” and she thought it would be funny to do a “What is wrong with THAT WEIRDO?” pose. Don’t ask me what I thought I was doing. I really had no plan. Obviously.
The out of this world Key Note Speakers were none other than the sensational husband & wife team, John & Sherry {and Clara!} from Young House Love!
Now, I must admit that I was living under a rock where these two were concerned, and even though I had heard their name tossed out lots of times, I had never really followed them until this past fall.
I know. Shocking, right? What is wrong with me?? I love how they write in such a personable way and really make you feel as though you KNOW them!
Our first time pulling into the hotel parking lot, we spotted John unloading his trunk!
Christina *shouted* ‘THERE’S JOHN!’ while I rolled down my window with the intention of hollering out something I’m sure would have been stalkerish and slighty awkward for him.
In the end, I chickened out and we just drove by staring which is much less stalkerish, I think.
We did work up the courage to get a shot of him and Burger {the most famous dog in the world of bloggerdom} later that night when we were on our way out!
Their session was packed… I mean, PACKED! As in there were NO seats and people were standing crowded in the back. Christina wondered if people in the area had just showed up and “sneaked in” just to hear them. :) I loved listening to them talk all about their blogging journey…
I really didn’t get all that many pictures sadly, since at times it seemed to be a choice of engage in the moment or take a pic to REMEMBER the moment!! Here are a few that I did manage to get!
Alison at House of Hepworths!
I did a guest post for her month long road trip last summer and got a huge bump in followers from it!! She was impressed that this was my first picture I was taking at Haven! She is one funny lady too!
One of the first people I met Wednesday was the completely charming Anna from Ask Anna. We sat together in the amazing I Love Big Blogs Session the next day and snapped this pic.
She has a blog full of great cleaning tips! Don’t we all need that?
Layla from The Lettered Cottage
Layla and her husband are so cute and she is so sweet! {And I am NOT just saying that, seriously!} When I introduced myself with my hand out {see above}, she acted like she knew me and gave me a hug! A giant lightbulb went off during their Photo Tips Session that I’m hoping I’ll have time to put into practice and actually use my camera on Manual! :)
I was also so happy to meet Kim from Sand and Sisal, and it was even cooler that we matched on Friday! :) She always seems to come up with the cutest, really original ideas!
I thoroughly enjoyed the I Love Thrifting Session with Mr. Goodwill Hunting who isn’t too far from me in Rock Hill, SC. He. was. HILARIOUS. He had all us girls rolling. I tweeted his quote… “Don’t shop for anything at any time, but shop for everything ALL the time.” Basically to find the good deals you have be willing to keep an open mind.
He also advised shopping the out of the way, more rural thrift shops since there is less traffic there and their prices will probably be lower.
He’s hosting another I Love Thrifting day coming up SOON on July 7th in Charlotte! Anybody wanna come with me???
Tonya from Love of Family and Home was another gal I had interacted with online and was able to meet in person! Though I did feel left out a bit when her and Christina’s hair began competeting for attention. :)
Rhoda is another amazing Lady from Southern Hospitality.
She is the one that put all this amazingness together… along with the rest of her fabulous Haven Team!
That’s left to right Chris, Rhoda, Kate, Sarah, Kristi, Marian, Beth, & Traci
There were a lot of other wonderful blog ladies I didn’t get a photo with that I was able to meet, and I look forward to getting to know them better!
Look at all this free swag!
We got a huge bag full of swag when we registered and then collected even more as we went around to all the sponsor booths. Who doesn’t love FREE stuff, right?
I even won the Ryobi Multi Tool in a drawing! I’m kind of the last person who should win a TOOL, so it was kind of funny as I was standing at the table with House of Hepworths and DIY on the Cheap wondering what tool I should pick! I stood there staring, looking ’em over thinking… Okay, Chris has one of those and one of those and one of those…etc, etc. So what should I pick???
The Multi Tool I think is similar to something I had thought about getting him for Christmas a few years ago, and he approved! Woot! I thought about saving it for an upcoming Christmas or Birthday gift {because I am cheap!} but I wanted to be able to blog about it, and I knew he would see it! :)
In short, Haven was stinking awesome, and I’m SO glad I decided to go… even though {shhh!} I am not really a DIY niche blogger. Thank you, Christina, for letting me crash with you! It was so nice too, NOT to have to walk into a room full of enthusiastically chatting women ALONE! :)
If you have considered going to a Blog Conference, I say definitely GO FOR IT if you are serious about blogging. It is like a shot in the arm!
If you were one of the Haven Mavens, what was your favorite part of the Conference??
Come check out even more Haven Recaps over at Rhoda’s!
Aww yay! I love this re-cap! Yes Miss Layla is a hugger (you’d never know she actually is really shy would you?) and just the sweetest! Glad you had a good time but sad that I didn’t get to really chat with you! Oh well there is always next year! :)
Congrats on your Ryobi win! I played around with that tool in the session and it’s really versatile. I added it to my tool wish list. lol. Yes, I have one of those. :) I loved meeting so many wonderful, kind, like minded women. It was a blast! I love the line from Mr. Goodwill Hunting. “Don’t shop for anything at any time, but shop for everything ALL the time.” Yeah, I have a problem with that…you should see my basement and garage full of “I will get to this project one day” stuff. lol Have a Happy Day!
This is such a fun recap. And too funny about ‘the hair’. When I met Tonya I said, I’d know that hair anywhere. hahaha
So glad we had a chance to meet. I had to decide to just be outgoing and interactive, too. So happy it worked for both of us. :)
Renee,
It was so nice meeting you (in real life) and spending time with you at sessions! You are a sweet and gentle spirit and I’m glad we were able to get to know each other better!
I was waiting for ur recap. Too funny. Ur hilarious. Been seeing Haven Recaps all over blogosphere. Glad u had fun.
I love it! What a great post!! Will you email me that picture of us, it’s really cute. :)
It was so great meeting you, you are adorable and super sweet. I’m glad you were the first person I got to meet at the conference!
Anna
Wow! Looks like it was an awesome time!!! I know you had a blast!
Love seeing everyone that you got to meet… and I’m SO jealous you got a pic with Mr. Goodwill Hunting! LOL
I’m definitely in for thrifting day… So glad you had such an amazing experience at your first blogging conference!
Hey Reneeeee!!! It was so much fun meeting you at Haven! I wish we could have chatted more! Love your recap and all your fun pictures too!
sooooo glad you came! You helped ME come out of my introverted self too :) Loved having you stay with me (even though I feel like I was a terrible host – didn’t even feed you?? But we were a little busy! :)
Such a fun time – seriously, one of the highlights of the year for me! :)
You are too funny too! Can you come re-write my recap and add some of your wittiness? :)
Hi Renee! It was so exciting to meet you! I’m glad for Twitter :-) I have a pic of you up on today’s post, come see.
I look forward to being in touch!
Renee! It was so much fun to meet you! I’m glad you thought I was funny. That would be awkward if you didn’t because I was trying my best to be cool. :)
Thanks for your sweet words about me.
Did you know my middle name is Renee? Yep! We’re bonded.
Love ya, girl! And I hope to get to see you again soon!
First time visitor to your blog – I came because I’m living vicariously through those who had the opportunity to go to Haven!
Thanks for sharing your pictures – it looks like you had a really fun time!
Renee, looks like you had a great time at Haven.
Do you know where we are meeting for I love thrifting? Rashon didn’t have any info re: Charlotte on his website…either that or I couldn’t find it. I was at the I Love Thrifting day last year and it was really fun.
Renee~
It was so good to meet you~what great photos and recap! I especially love the one of Burger! :) Have a good weekend!
Melissa
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