I promised you more, more, more on Haven Conference 2014, and here it is!
In a few words, this year was completely different yet not. With 2 years of blogging under my belt, I was prepping for this year’s Haven Conference with a different mindset: more determined, ready to push myself. To take the more technical sessions. To approach brands I’d love to work with. To leave my shy tendencies at home. Yet at the end of the weekend, my head was swimming just as much as last year, my brain working so fast to process all the amazing info it just took in. My cheeks hurt from smiling for so many photos. And my voice was hoarse from chatting morning, noon and night with strangers who are now dear friends.
Sounds amazing, right? Because IT WAS!!
This year, I opted for automobiles over airplanes. And I had THE BEST roadtrip buddy in Anne from Anne Thompson Designs. She lives just across the river from me in Northern Kentucky. And she will probably be seeing and hearing a lot more from me. Because she’s the bomb and now I have a bloggy buddy who practically lives in my backyard! Eek!
Once we arrived at the hotel and checked in, I pretty much squealed when I walked into my room and saw this:
It’s like they knew I was coming, decking out my room and all its furnishings in my favorite color! I mean seriously, what are the chances?
I was also beyond stoked to find out that I was selected to be part of the Ballard Designs Coffee Table Challenge! My team didn’t win (#sadface), but we had a great time putting our pretty coffee table together. My team: Kathy from Petticoat Junktion, Melissa from The Happier Homemaker, Rachel from Maison de Pax and Heather from Setting for Four.
Throughout the weekend, I got to spend plenty of time catching up with the friends I made last year, including (some of) my amazing tribe: Money Never Sleeps.
Here we are charade-ing our awesome tribe name. From L to R: Lauren from The Thinking Closet, Laura from The Turquoise Home, Melissa from The Happier Homemaker, Candace from Rusted Roots, Jamie from So Much Better with Age and Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof.
There were a bunch of familiar faces among the crowds of Mavens, including Michele from Our Rosey Life, Lynda from Oh So Shabby. I adore these ladies. We had a blast at the Ryobi party! Here we are with Darla from Heartwork Organizing:
I connected with so many fun and talented ladies! Some I knew from last year, like Melody from My Passion for Decor, Kim from The Kim Six Fix, and Brandi from Don’t Disturb This Groove. And some I was just meeting for the first time, including Dee from Cupcakes and Crowbars, , Sondra from Sondra Lyn at Home, Charlotte from Ciburbanity (a fellow VRAI Magazine editor!), ChiWei from One Dog Woof, Tara from Suburble, Kadie from Seven Alive, Maria from Rusted Market, Michelle from Weekend Craft… and probably 100 more that I’m forgetting.
Here I am with the fabulous Candace from Lucky Scarf. We both won pillows from Online Fabric Store!
My nerves of last year were replaced with a rush of excitement that carried me through the weekend. I took those tougher sessions, and I came away with a wealth of great and actionable information. I felt so much more confident, approaching brand representatives with a smile and bounce in my step.
And while I feel like I came home with a fraction of the business cards as last year, I’ll take that as a sign that I was having long, meaningful conversations with bloggers who I’m so honored and thrilled to call friends. I tell you what, there ain’t no hug like a hug from a blogger friend you’re just meeting in real life.
This was definitely the best Haven Conference yet (can I say that when I’ve only attended 2?). I soaked up a lot of valuable knowledge, I connected with some fabulous brands that I hope to develop relationships with (ahem, Online Fabric Store, I <3 you), and I reunited with friends from all over North America. From Florida to North Carolina to Illinois to Vancouver, B.C. It was such a rewarding weekend, and a great reminder that there really is no place like Haven.
(see what I did there?)
Now if only I could click my heels together three times and go back!
Emily, I’m so glad to read that you had an amazing time. Looks like you’ll have a lot of great ideas and stories to keep you blogging for another year or so 🙂
Danny recently posted…Voyage to the Enchanting Coast of the Netherlands
Haha! Yeah, I think I found enough inspiration to last me at least a little while 😉
It was so great to meet you! I still need to post my newbie experience. The hotel TOTALLY knew you were coming and designed your room for the utmost comfort! You are a doll – so glad we’ve met!
Candace, I am SO glad I bumped into you at the first happy hour! I had so much fun with you over the weekend! Miss your smile!
Let me know when you figure out that clicking your heels thing… would be AMAZING! And I had the same reaction to year #2. Much more legit interactions which made the whole weekend so much fun! xx
Charlotte @ Ciburanity recently posted…Terrarium Tips
Let me go find some ruby slippers and I’ll let you know! I really feel like my personal blogging community is so much more robust now. And I’m glad you’re part of it 😉
Loved your re-cap… loved meeting you MORE! You are so lovely and I especially enjoyed dinner with everyone on Saturday evening! Can’t wait for next year!!
Sondra @ Sondra Lyn at Home recently posted…Share it Sunday {37}
Thank you Sondra; you’re too sweet!! I so enjoyed talking with you during dinner! It was a great evening, with a great group of ladies! Next July can’t get here fast enough!!
Such a fun recap, Emily! I agree totally about year 2 being a horse of a different color…and how those first year jitters were replaced with warm hugs and a new focus! I, too, feel like I came back with fewer biz cards…but definitely enjoyed deeper convos! So glad we had that pillow fight…and MNS photo…and lots of shared laughter. Hard to believe it has already been over a week since we were together! Miss you, girl!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet recently posted…Souvenir Seashell Paperclips
Thanks girl! I cannot believe how quickly the weekend came and went! It was packed full of goodness, but I totally would’ve taken an extra day or two to soak it all up and hang out with all you amazing ladies a bit longer! Miss you too!!
Thanks for including us in your wrap-up Emily! It was lovely seeing you at Haven and glad we got the chance to sit down and chat a bit . Look forward to connecting more!
Of course I had to include the amazing OFS pillow wall! It was so great to talk with you, and I’m looking forward to staying in touch!
Emily my friend. I had such a blast with you at Haven this year! I’m so glad we were able to spend more time together and getting to know each other. And I agree with your sophomore year experiences – me too. PS. My feet still hurt from the never-gonna-stop-dancing-party!
Michele @ Our Rosey Life recently posted…Hunt at Main Street Market
Michele, I am so, so glad we got to spend so much together at Haven! It was so wonderful to bump into familiar faces like yours and to get to have such great dinner conversations, plus plenty of dancing 😉