All insider jokes aside. I was overwhelmed by and thrilled to meet so many amazing like-minded women (and maybe 3 men) in person. It was without a doubt the best part of visiting my first conference. Why have I never visited one before? Well I hate to leave my kids and usually the dates get in the way with our other yearly trips but I’m sure glad that I did get a chance to finally attend Haven.
I also think I came across as slightly (or mostly) crazed and all over the place which pretty much sums it up because I would have loved to clone myself during the parties and speaker sessions. So many people I didn’t get to meet and so many people I barely got to speak with.
I didn’t think I could love Mandi any more than I already do but it’s possible. She’s amazing!
I attended some great classes. Amazing talent was everywhere (sorry for the crappy cellphone pictures):
My head is kind of spinning actually and I wish I would have more photos to share of the classes but the lighting wasn’t made for great photos.
I saw my projects at the HomeDepot DIY hall of fame:
With Jennifer (The Chronicles of Home),
Kelly (View Along the Way) and Ashley (Domestic Imperfection)
Hang out with all my friends:
My roomies Sarah (The Thriftress), Cassie (Primitive and Proper),
not my roomies but still awesome: Michelle (Decor and the Dog without Ike unfortunately), and Amber (Wills Casa)
Getting tribal with Cassie, Amber, Brynne (The Gathered Home),
Emily, Michelle, Kelly and Katja
By the way, swag towels do come in handy at dance parties when you happen to lose your clothes during the evening! And I didn’t mention gorgeous Summer (Simple Stylings) yet who is the first on the left.
I got to admire Ballard Designs’ beautiful furniture:
And participate in their coffee table style challenge (with Christy – Our Southern Home, Vidya – What’s Your Home Story, Jennifer – The Chronicles of Home and Cassie – Primitive and Proper , where we almost won the $100 gift card. So close and so upsetting!
A shot of us plotting to win this.
I truly think that every one of the ladies mentioned and shown above are special, amazing and incredibly talented and there were so many more that I didn’t take photos of. Can you believe that there were 350 attendees? Crazy atmosphere I tell ya!
I had a wonderful time and I’m hoping to get the chance to do it again in the future.
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
30 Comments
It was totally a blast! I’m so happy we had time to hang out and soak up the Haven awesomeness! Since we don’t live to far apart I hope there will be more opportunities to get together in the future!
Looks like it was an awesome time Julia! You have some great photos here! I always enjoy our conferences and encourage anyone who has never attended one to go!
Sooo lovely to meet you! I so wish we got to chat more. 🙁 You girls did such a good job with the coffee table. Loved your styling. Oh, my did you lose your clothes at the party! Hmmm. So funny! x
I’m glad you had such a good time, Julia! I’ve been to Haven the first two years, but wasn’t able to make it this time. Meeting bloggers in person is my favorite part! Bummed that I missed out on all the fun this year. Maybe next time…
I’m down in Moultrie Ga. Not that far away; However until i can find a DIY car (read that truck) i’m stuck with only one way to transport.. Can’t (won’t) leave K. without the van (she’s still fighting that nasty of woman nasty (breast cancer). But after looking through the photo’s you ladies had enough fun to cover for me… Maybe next year… Thanks for all the memories keep the fun flowing ladies! Charles…….. P. S. the dog’s and cats love the window cage……. (can’t keep them in the house now) Later…..
Ok, your pictures are so good. I feel almost embarrassed about the pictures I posted haha! clearly I need to upgrade my phone or take lessons from you. Also, you are gorgeous in all of your pictures! Seriously I want your hair. I CANNOT believe you shared a bed with Carrie from Lovely, Etc and I didn’t meet her! She was one of the first blogs I started following and made me want to start refinishing furniture! Next time! Anyways, loved your recap… wishing I knew all the stories behind that insider joke paragraph…. and yes I KNOW we would get into trouble if we hung out more haha those are the best kind of friends!!
i had SOOOO much fun! i can’t wait to do it again- seriously! in the meantime we will have to plan a tribe retreat! i would LOVE that. maybe somewhere near williamsburg or maybe west virginia or ANYWHERE as long as the tribe is there!
I feel like I was there with all the instagram photos, I’m not going to lie I was a little sad about not going. Even though I’m not actively blogging I love the whole world of design blogs! (: I gotta ask though are most bloggers really really tall or are you a shorty Julia! (: Thanks for the recap!
LOVE the recap! Talk about a whirlwind of the best kind. Wishing I could’ve made it to Haven so I could meet your fab self but following along on IG was pretty great!
How did we not get a picture together?! And I’m still laughing about the Lucky shirt. I’ll take a pic tonight and tag you in it. Let’s see if you can spot the OTHER leaf, hahahaha! Let’s get together again soon, lady! XO, C.
I had such a good time hanging out with you! I wish we would have gotten a photo together. I loved reading your recap and am wishing I would have taken photos of all of the set ups in the living room. Can’t wait to meet again! 🙂
Haven was a total whirlwind with people everywhere! So happy I got a chance to meet with you and chat with you! Loved the recap and so many fantastic pictures!! I totally forgot to take a picture with you 🙂
Ahh! Your pictures are so lovely! I took about 5 Instagram shots and that is it. So it’s so fun to look through your photos 🙂 I’m so glad we got to meet in person and hang out together! You are so sweet!
This made me so happy yet so sad! Every year I want to go and every year I haven’t been able to. Here’s to 2015 and the hopes I can make it to haven and meet all your fabulous ladies! I’m so glad you had the best time!
Oh Julia I am so totally bummed out that I missed out on meeting you… how crazy is that?!?! Such a whirlwind and a great trip and even better conference – maybe next year?!?
It was totally a blast! I’m so happy we had time to hang out and soak up the Haven awesomeness! Since we don’t live to far apart I hope there will be more opportunities to get together in the future!
Fun! I’ll definitely have to think about going next year!
Great post!!! It was so fun and I’m glad we all got to spend some time together!!
Such fantastic pictures! So sad I didn’t go!
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
Looks like it was an awesome time Julia! You have some great photos here! I always enjoy our conferences and encourage anyone who has never attended one to go!
Sooo lovely to meet you! I so wish we got to chat more. 🙁 You girls did such a good job with the coffee table. Loved your styling. Oh, my did you lose your clothes at the party! Hmmm. So funny! x
I’m glad you had such a good time, Julia! I’ve been to Haven the first two years, but wasn’t able to make it this time. Meeting bloggers in person is my favorite part! Bummed that I missed out on all the fun this year. Maybe next time…
I’m down in Moultrie Ga. Not that far away; However until i can find a DIY car (read that truck) i’m stuck with only one way to transport.. Can’t (won’t) leave K. without the van (she’s still fighting that nasty of woman nasty (breast cancer).
But after looking through the photo’s you ladies had enough fun to cover for me… Maybe next year…
Thanks for all the memories keep the fun flowing ladies!
Charles…….. P. S. the dog’s and cats love the window cage……. (can’t keep them in the house now)
Later…..
What FUN! Thanks for sharing all your pics!
I had a blast hanging out and dancing with you! All the fun!!! I can’t wait for our next meet up!
Ok, your pictures are so good. I feel almost embarrassed about the pictures I posted haha! clearly I need to upgrade my phone or take lessons from you. Also, you are gorgeous in all of your pictures! Seriously I want your hair. I CANNOT believe you shared a bed with Carrie from Lovely, Etc and I didn’t meet her! She was one of the first blogs I started following and made me want to start refinishing furniture! Next time! Anyways, loved your recap… wishing I knew all the stories behind that insider joke paragraph…. and yes I KNOW we would get into trouble if we hung out more haha those are the best kind of friends!!
i had SOOOO much fun! i can’t wait to do it again- seriously! in the meantime we will have to plan a tribe retreat! i would LOVE that. maybe somewhere near williamsburg or maybe west virginia or ANYWHERE as long as the tribe is there!
I’m so sad that I missed out on meeting you! I’m glad you had a great time!!!
What a wonderful wrap up! I loved meeting you and I look forward to getting to know you better!! xoxox, Emily
I feel like I was there with all the instagram photos, I’m not going to lie I was a little sad about not going. Even though I’m not actively blogging I love the whole world of design blogs! (: I gotta ask though are most bloggers really really tall or are you a shorty Julia! (: Thanks for the recap!
Looks like so much fun!! I bet it’s great to put faces and inside jokes to all these great names! Great pics and thanks for sharing!!
Your pictures are so good! I would have loved to have a little more time to meet people and talk with you!
It was so lovely meeting you! Love your recap and that you actually got some decent pictures! Mine are all blurry cell phone pictures! 😉
LOVE the recap! Talk about a whirlwind of the best kind. Wishing I could’ve made it to Haven so I could meet your fab self but following along on IG was pretty great!
You, my friend, are gorgeous!
xoxo
How did we not get a picture together?! And I’m still laughing about the Lucky shirt. I’ll take a pic tonight and tag you in it. Let’s see if you can spot the OTHER leaf, hahahaha! Let’s get together again soon, lady!
XO, C.
I had such a good time hanging out with you! I wish we would have gotten a photo together. I loved reading your recap and am wishing I would have taken photos of all of the set ups in the living room. Can’t wait to meet again! 🙂
Such fun photos, Julia! It was so good to finally meet face to face, you are a joy!
You got some great pictures! It was wonderful to finally meet you in person 🙂
Haven was a total whirlwind with people everywhere! So happy I got a chance to meet with you and chat with you! Loved the recap and so many fantastic pictures!! I totally forgot to take a picture with you 🙂
Ahh! Your pictures are so lovely! I took about 5 Instagram shots and that is it. So it’s so fun to look through your photos 🙂 I’m so glad we got to meet in person and hang out together! You are so sweet!
Looks like a great time! I would have loved to attend a photo styling workshop. Hopefully they have one next year!
This made me so happy yet so sad! Every year I want to go and every year I haven’t been able to. Here’s to 2015 and the hopes I can make it to haven and meet all your fabulous ladies! I’m so glad you had the best time!
So glad we had the chance to meet. You are so sweet and stylish! Haven was a lot of fun and learned so much.
Such great photos! Loved your recap – and of course, I loved meeting you!
Oh Julia I am so totally bummed out that I missed out on meeting you… how crazy is that?!?! Such a whirlwind and a great trip and even better conference – maybe next year?!?