Haven 2013

Hi Friends! 

I just returned from the Haven 2013 Blogging conference in Atlanta that took place this past weekend. 

What a fabulous experience it was! 

I got to spend time with so many wonderful bloggers, and attend fantastic classes, taught by some really talented ladies!

I flew from California to Nashville, to drop my son at his Grandparents for a few days, and then I drove down to Atlanta from there.

 It was such a pretty drive. 

 I did stop to caffeinate along the way! 

 The hotel this year was very nice. The lobby and meeting areas were very pretty, and so were the rooms. The hotel and staff did an outstanding job accommodating such a large group.

We registered and checked out the swag bags!

What a great selection of products we received to take back home! Love the tote bags too!

 The view of Atlanta from the room was not too shabby either!

Anna White kicked things off...

She gave a fantastic talk!

Then there were all of the amazing vendors, set up to talk with us and share their products.

 Ballard Design set up individual styled "rooms" for us to ogle, and sit in to chat.

 The other vendors were set up around the perimeter of the room. There were lattes and cappuccinos available most of the day, in the lounge as well.

 I loved this vendor with a fun selection of antiques, and handmade jewelry.

Ballard Design provided tons of accessories for the "Bookcase Challenge".

 You could even use fresh cut flowers, when styling the shelves.

Pretty.

There were a great selection of classes this year too!

This was a Building Your Blog Class that was fantastic!

 There was also an advanced painting class, which was a lot of fun!

I sat next to the wonderful Kim, from Savvy Southern Style. She is such a nice lady! (And definitely one accomplished painter! She has worked with all of these paints in her projects at home!)

We got to practice layering both milk paint from Miss Mustard Seed's line, and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, with different waxes, etc.

Super fun!

 This is the lovely Barb from Everyday Home Blog. I wanted to post this pic, because I love this girl! However, the lack of sleep I incurred during travel and conference show all over my face. I am looking pretty bad here! Not to mention that southern humidity doing a number on the hair! Eeek!

I have to apologize right now for the horrible picture quality! These were shot with my iPhone in low light. I almost did not share, but I love these women, and had such a good time with them!

Left to right...
Vanessa from At The Picket Fence, Kim from Savvy Southern Style, Shirley from Housepitaliy Designs, Susan from Between Naps On The Porch, and Yvonne from the wonderful Stonegable blog.
Such a fun group!

I snuck out a bit early during the closing of the conference and got to meet up with one of my closest friends, who actually lives in Atlanta.

Then I hit the road, and drove back up to Nashville to get my boy. I was rewarded with a great sunset. 

                     We spent one more day in Nashville with family, then we headed back home.

 He loves to sit by the window, as most kids do! I liked this shot with all of the flare showing. I think it gives it a magical quality.

 As we winged our way back to Cali, he watched movies of the iPad, and played games while I worked on blog stuff. There is so much information to process from the conference. Look for more changes to come on the blog, as I implement some of what I learned!

Hope you are having a great week!

xo-Lisa