Well, well, well. How have you all been?
I can not even begin to express how wonderful my experience at Haven was. And, I’ve mentioned this to a few of you already, but I am not really your squealing, easily excitable type of girl. I’m much more the roll-my-eyes-at-all-you-squealing-fools type. So, I really had no idea what to expect from a blog conference, but believe you me, like my buddy Kelly, I am now totally going to become a Superblogger. ;)
But, I’ve never really wanted this blog to be about blogging so I put together a little round-up of my overall experience that I hope will be fun for all. I present to you: The Haven Lists of 3.
3 Most Relatable Speakers
1 - Beckie from Infarrantly Creative – Let me just tell you, if you ever have the opportunity to hear this gal speak DO IT! She spoke about revolutionary ideas regarding advertising on the blog and she was inspiring, motivating, liberating and so passionate I almost she couldn’t stay in her seat. And, at the risk of sounding just a teensy bit creepy, she is a total babe!!
2 - Sherry and John from Young House Love – They were the key-note speakers to open the conference and they were fun, funny and full of life. They play well off each other, aren’t afraid of a little self deprecating humor and every bit the sweethearts that we imagine them to be when we envision sitting around their new kitchen peninsula chit chatting away about our next projects. Oh, wait … we don’t do that? Guess that’s just me. ;) (Apparently John and Clara weren’t as into this photo op as I was.)
3 - Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick – She spoke about tips on growing your blog as well as advertising and she came across as my kind of gal. And, I practically tackled her after a session we were attending together (because I do that, attend ‘sessions’ with Thrifty Decor Chick) to let her know that she was the very first blog I read and that I used to live in Indy (because I could tell she was dying to know that info) and she was very down-to-earth, real, no frills, say what you mean and mean what you say and then blog about type of personality.
3 Smartest Travel Decisions
1 – Meeting someone at the airport – It was so nice to not have to walk into the somewhat overwhelming opening reception room for the first time all by my lonesome. A HUGE thank you to Jessica from Decor Adventures for waiting at the airport for my delayed flight to arrive. (And for all of the awesome blog talk at the end of the day!)
2 – Taking the train from the airport to the hotel – $6 round trip vs $120 round trip for a cab. YES Please!!! And sorry to all of you a little lighter in the wallet because of the cab ride, I heard the traffic was a be-ach. ;)
3 – Wearing my everyday clothes – I’m a casual kind of gal and I’m so glad I didn’t put any pressure on myself to try to cute-it-up for the masses. It wouldn’t have worked, for one, and, two, I didn’t have to worry about if my new pencil skirt was tight in all the wrong places or if I was going to fall off my heels since I wore my fave flip flops.
My 3 New BFFs (not that they know it)
1 and 2 – The East Coast Creative girls, Jess and Monica. These girls could not have been more approachable, informative and just down right pleasant to be around if they wanted to. And, I swear, it is a total coincidence that I kept running into you guys around the hotel, and on the vendor walk, and in the conference rooms, AND across the street from the hotel. Seriously! :)
3 – Anna from Directions Not Included. We share a tendency toward potty mouth, a love of drinking wine and we have uniquely similar, yet totally different love stories. What’s not to love? :)
3 Most Embarrassing Moments
1 – Having to explain to Every. Flippen. Sponsor. that I didn’t put my name on my business cards. #DIYfail
2 – Trying to give the super sweet Jennifer from Celebrating Everyday Life my card twice. I think I was just on “introduction overload”. Luckily she took it in stride and never made me feel like more of a moron that I already did. Thank you for that, Jennifer!
2a – I realized when I got home that I had exchanged business cards twice with Chelsea from two twenty one. But, since neither of us realized it at the time no harm, no foul. Right?!?
3 – Now, this picture really needs no explanation. It was all I could do to not go back all creepy-stalker-lady-like and say ‘hey model Layla from The Lettered Cottage, would you mind redoing that picture we just took … and could you not smile so cute, and have your hair so perfect and look so awesome and maybe this time I’ll foof my hair before the pic and open my eyes a little so I have a chance of not looking like a total wig nut next to you? thanks’.
3 Fun Brand Conversations
1 – I was so happy to meet Miriam from hometalk.com in person. She has been so supportive and helpful as I familiarize myself with the website which, by the way, is such a great resource for all things you might want to talk about your home. Thank you for your time, Miriam!
2 – Being in the Caribbean I don’t have easy access to Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint so I was very intrigued by my conversation with Lisa from Annie Sloan Unfolded. I am chomping at the bit to use my sample pot of paint!!
3 – Kate from Centsational Girl - OK, so I know Kate is a blogger and Centsational Girl is a blog, but our blog is our brand, right?!?! And, can I just tell you that she let me totally interrupt her personal time so we could talk blog and blog conference for a few and I felt like I could have been sipping homemade Pinot Noir in her patio cabana.
(Clearly I make myself right at home in other bloggers’ homes in my own mind.)
Now, I didn’t realize I had come up with so many lists of 3. Tune back in tomorrow for The Haven Lists of 3 – Part two, with topics like the 3 Swaggiest Swag Items, 3 Cool Business Card Ideas, 3 Biggest Surprises and 3 Post Blog Conference Confessions.
Part two has been posted here.
And tell me, if you were to pick just one list of 3 to describe your weekend what would it be?
Hey Karah,
Great post on Haven. I have to agree about those 3 relatable speakers–they were so good. And didn’t you like that the conference was small enough that we kept running into the same people?
So glad you had such a good time! Did you manage to keep the food off your teeth??? Great post!
xox
i was totalyl with you wearing my fave comfy flip flops and my every day clothes.
i don’t dress up.
and i loved meeting you- you are hysterical! and so my kind of girl, whether you know it or not.
It sounds like SUCH an awesome experience!! I enjoyed your “3′s” lists!! Can’t wait to hear more about it!
p.s. our show comes on tonight!!
It was so good to meet you Karah! I think you were one of my favorite people to meet. You’re so fun and relaxed and I never felt like I needed to be “on” when talking to you. You’re awesome!!!
although I already “knew” you , it was awesome getting to meet you!!
Karah,
It was awesome to meet you at Haven! I agree with all your tips. Oh….and your business cards are waaaay cuter than mine and I didn’t put my name on them either!
What a fun wrap up!! It was great to meet you — you are such fun and so easy going! I want to come hang with you in the Caribbean.
I’ll bring you some chalk paint!
xo Heidi
This is a great recap! I’m laughing all the way through it! It was nice to meet you! I’m looking forward to next year already!
I’m glad I’m the new BFF because then it won’t be so strange when I show up in Curaçao and call you to pick me up from the airport! Seriously, I’m blushing I made the list. So glad you found our table the first night there.
Love your recap! I had a great time rooming with you! You’re awesome!
Loved your recap and loved meeting you! Take care, Laura
Glad you had such a great experience. I think I have to make that happen for me next year! And my list of 3 would be: 3 Giant Steps Forward.
Sounds like you had a ton of FUN!!! Hoping to make it next year:)
Blessings,
Linda
Ahhh! I’m so green with jealousy! Sounds like you had a fantastic time and learned a lot!
loved that you wore your comfy clothes and shoes…your toes look awfully pretty! you look adorable in all your pics, thanks for sharing your Haven experience, glad you had a great time
Karah, it was so nice to meet you face to face! I only wish that we would have had a chance to chat a lot more! It seemed that we took the classes on opposite days.
I agree with your decision to dress in what made you comfy! You looked fantastic! -Hope your flight home went well, and I hope to see you again at Haven next year!
xo-Lisa
Hi Karah!! You are so adorable and I’m flattered to have made your list! I’m so excited to have met you and begin what I hope will be a long lasting bloggy friendship!! Hugs from Virginia!
~ Jennifer
Sounds like you had a blast – except for those many many many embarrassing moments!
I’m sure you’re the only one who noticed (note me trying to make you feel better here)!
My favorite part of Haven – seeing Flat Kelly getting her wine on!
Kelly
So glad you had a wonderful time! Love the lists. I’ve been searching for Haven posts all day. Nice job! What do you mean you didn’t dress up? Your toenails were all fancy….
I never noticed you were a potty mouth girl like me. I try to quell it all on my blog cuz I’m afraid I will get kicked off the internet or something. Can’t wait to read tomorrow.
Karah…I love, love this post!!….You are as funny as I imagined you would be….I am so happy that I got to meet my DIY idol!…
Now as far as Layla goes…I know what you mean about taking a picture next to a “super model”…She was terrific…and at least you only did a do over once….my first one was so bad, they took my camera and tried to change the settings…I kept telling them that it was not the camera…it was my face!!…
Looking forward to your next Haven series…
and I agree, the speakers were so genuinely perfect.
P.S. Love your sandals and toes!
I probably would have been in flip flops too:) I love living vicariously through all of you.
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Hey Karah! It was SO great to meet you and I’m so glad we got to talk for a bit. Next time you’re in Indy give me a holla!!
Karah, it was so nice meeting you at Haven. The whole experience was amazing and so inspiring. I’d like to say that you look very cute next to Layla.
Great recap! I love how you are doing it in 3′s.
So glad you came to Haven. I hope to see you next year!
See, I wished for a post about Haven, and there one is waiting for me!
Lucky me! It sounds like such fun and I’m glad you had such a great time!
~Angela~
Hi Kara,
I just wanted to stop by since Jane did. Enjoyed your post. You guys are all so talented.
Great post, love your flip flops (:
Sounds like you were relaxed and had a great time!! Can’t wait to hear more and to check out all the bloggers and blogs you talked about!
Karah! I am super excited that we had the chance to meet and bummed there just wasn’t enough time to sit and chat and visit more. YOU, my friend, are gorgeous, down to earth and amazing just the way you are. Why didn’t we get a picture together?! I guess we’ll just have to make a point to get together again.
What a fantastic recap of the event, you are so down to earth and funny and fun and sweet and pretty, I could go on and on …. loved our few minutes together and thank you for coming up to me to talk, I loved our chat!!! Can’t wait to see you again!
Kate
You pretty much rocked Haven. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Okay, that was a super cute recap! And I had to laugh about the pic with Layla…I was too nervous to even ask! But yours turned out great.
You crack me up! I am glad you had such a great experience! And that you came to my session on advertising. Thanks for the sweet words.
I loved meeting you Karah! And I totally did have a puzzled moment wondering about your no name on the card thing.
Love your three’s!
I 100% agree with the notable speakers!! I’ve been looking up pictures of Curaçao Island…lucky duck!
Karah, You are too cute! Being from Florida, I believe flip flops are the staple shoe of all of life… and the only way to go. Yours are exceptionally cute. Thanks for giving us so much information and a fun rundown of the vibe of the conference. I sort of feel like I was there!
Liz
Girlfriend!
Holy amazing recap. I love your lists! You are forever my blog conference BFF
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