Haven and Dreamingincolor {Third Time Is A Charm}

Funny how you can do something again and again and wind up with different results. 

That's what happens every year I go to Haven.

I have been going to Haven for three years! The first year I went was the first year Haven was started. I had met Rhoda when we were shooting a pilot for HGTV and she told me about her vision.

I knew that it would be a good fit for me. I had a lot to learn though. I never had been to a blogging conference and didn't know what to do. I thought the vendors like Ryobi, Home Depot, and Kregg were there to sell me something or just wanted my info to send me tons of emails. Boy was I wrong!  I quickly learned that the vendors that came were there to work with bloggers. They knew that social media was the place to put their efforts. Bloggers can really be a voice!

That started a whole new world for me. I knew that season 2 would be making relationships with my favorites. Ryobi being my number one!

Ryobi has been so kind to me. They really want to work with us. They appreciate what we do. They know how to have fun too!

Taking a Trip!

 SNAP was such a fun conference this year in Utah! I had found out about it last year when I attended Haven. Everyone recommended it but I wasn't sure I could go to both .

After working really hard I decided why not?

 Last year was so much fun I really wanted to do it again.

There was so much swag, prizes and classes to attend. I met some great bloggers and vendors. I even put in a little time shopping in Atlanta!

This year will be a little different. The hotel is in Buckhead ( one of my favorite places) close to Lenox Mall and great restaurants.

There will be cocktail parties and even a dance and I was invited to attend a special sponsor catered dinner.

I will be tweeting about it @dreamingncolor and instagraming @dreamingincolorblog!!

So follow along for the latest and greatest fun and ideas!

Of course I will share it ALL with you when I get back!

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Dreamingincolor at Haven

Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon posting about their Haven experiences. It helps when running out of an idea to blog about! I have had a few myself. In a nutshell, I had a blast! I met at least a hundred woman (I have that many business cards) with the same likes as I have. Intelligent talented woman! These woman were eager to share their knowledge.

I came home with bags of free stuff and a few things I won!

 
 Annie Sloan paint and a Ryobi  slide compund miter saw with laser and stand. Can you tell I'm excited?

 One problem! Pictures were mostly taken with my phone. Not good! annnddd they were mostly taken the last day which explains the same clothes in every picture ugh! Not good at all, especially since my Canon Rebel was in the hotel room.

There were workshops about Google Juice, Waterfall effects and the scary "M" monster!!!

There were cocktail parties with signature drinks, girls buying rounds, and  waffles!

Intriguing conversations about wood, milk paint and yogurt!

If you don't get it you will just have to go next year! If you do get it you have memories of laughter and brain farts!

Of course all of this was great but the thing that was most important were all the connections made with friends!

Lots of friend not enough pictures taken! 

This blog thing has turned into quite an adventure! I took off by myself and entered a world that was sooo much bigger than I thought.

I was welcomed in and embraced with knowledge and friendship. Thanks to everyone that attended!

I took a leap about a year ago when I helped Layla and Kevin from The Lettered Cottage, traveling alone to help with a redo in Buford, GA. That is were I met Rhoda from Southern Hospitality and she told me about heading up a new conference for Home and DIYer's. I knew that is where I wanted to be!

So take a chance and get yourself out there! There are so many people to meet and adventures to go on. It takes one step in that direction! The rest is a domino effect!

Where has taking a chance with your blog taken you?

Haven Conference and Swag Bag

Haven is over and what a good time it was! The event was located in Atlanta at the Crown Plaza Hotel. I just got back last night and unloaded all of my goodies!

When I got there on Wednesday and registered, I received a swag bag. This was no ordinary swag bag. It was loaded with some of my favorite products and some soon to be favorites!

I quickly got to my hotel room and scattered it on the bed so I could share it with you.

By the end of the conference my swag bag grew and grew and grew!!! I came home with three bags of stuff!

Purdy Brushes, Frog tape, Annie Sloan paint Kregg jigs Rustoleum and 3M products and much much more!

I unpacked and literally scattered the product on my bed. What a glorious mess!!!!

Its like my HGTV Shaw Floors bag and Haven bag had babies!!! I am separating all the loot now!

This made it extra fun. Anytime you can come home with something free it makes it extra exciting!

Haven sponsors your were wonderful! Thank you so much!!! 

OK I know what you are wanting to know....Would I go again?  YES!!

My question is What about you? Would you go again? If you didn't get there this year are you gonna try for next year??

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

If you have been around the blogs for awhile, you have heard of Miss Mustard Seed. Marion Parsons host the infamous blog and shows off all her furniture creations. She has tons of information and insight. She is also a freelance writer for a few magazines.

I got to meet with her and take her class at Haven. She is so geniune and lovely. She talked about paints and techniques. She showed use her new line of milk paint that she created her own personal colors and waxes for. She will be debuting it soon.

I took several pictures but thought this one you would appreciate more.I decided to give you a sneak peek of some of the colors she has created.

Milk paint is just another great alternative for painting furniture. Gives a great chippy finish.

I am taking more workshops today and visiting some more vendors. I have a bag full of goodies I am taking home with me and at least 100 new blogs I will have to visit! It has been a blast.

I will share more soon! Have you been to a blog conference before? What was the best thing you got from one?

Haven is Here!

Well I made it to Atlanta for the Haven Conference. So far it is amazing. All the woman who have worked on creating this venue have came through.

I got here early and met several bloggers. Checked in at the registration booth and was presented with a goody bag by Marion Parsons of Miss Mustard Seed. I can't wait to show you the picture of all the amazing things we got!

Then got ready for the cocktal party hosted by Frogtape and Oreck. There were goodies set up like fresh fruit and yummy pretzels.We each got a ticket for a drink and the about 200 bloggers entered the room. The rest will show up in the morning and the classes will begin.

Here is a little picture of some of the bloggers I met. Beth from Home Stories at A to Z and her sis Kim from Sand and Sisal and Vivienne from The V Spot

Everyone has been so nice. I can't wait to be in the classes tomorrow. Will fill you in on more later!

Wish all of you were here so I could meet you!