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!

Things to help you with your blog

As you already know I am going to Haven to participate in their first ever conference in Atlanta. Well this is my first conference too. I am excited and a little apprehensive. I feel like a fish out of water. There are many things I still don't know. That is one reason I am going. I am still such a newbie!

One thing I finally did was to create a Facebook page for my blog. This was quite easy and I can't believe it took me this long to do it. Why do we hold ourselves back?

So please like my facebook page!!! Just click the link in my sideboard or below.

I consider this to be a big milestone for me since I am not very techie!

The next thing I did was to have business cards made up. I already have some for MicucciDesigns but these are just for my blog. I used the button that I created in my sidebar for the logo. Then I added a QR code.Another biggie for me!!

This was FREE and it is awesome. It allows others to scan the barcode to go directly to your blog!
Just go to www.qrstuff.com to create your own.

I added this to my business card for easy access to my blog.  I cannot believe I did two major things like this. So far I stepped completely out of the box for this conference. Just what I wanted to do!
I owe it all to Beth at Home Stories A to Z. She had a post for new attendees and what to do and take there.

This will help all of you in blogworld! I wanted to pass this along. YOU CAN DO IT!

Now all I have to do is pack!! ...and clean...and laundry....and ....and....and..................

Gossip Chair

Now that I am back home I need to get started with furniture again. This is a simple gossip chair I found. Remember when we used to have telephones connected to wire. I remember going to an electronic store looking for the longest cord I could find so I could bring the phone into every room!  The cord would get pulled so much the coils eventually pulled out. Looking at this gossip chair it reminded me of that time.

Of course I forgot the before picture...drats! It needed a little work with loose spindles, but all in all it was in good shape.

I painted it grey and found an airmail envelope to modpodge on the desk part. Simple but cute.

I was attracted to this one because of the postmark. The year and the city and state! I felt like it  was meant to go on this piece. Tells a story!

This cute little bench will be in my booth soon!

I will be going to Haven next week and I am so excited!! I finally get to meet all of the wonderful people I have gotten to know. If you are going leave me a comment so I can meet you and say hi!

Thanks to all my wonderful followers! I appreciate you!

Nest

Beautiful isn't it? The beach is always a great place to get wonderful pictures. This one looks like a postcard. I am back from my two week vacation. Back to reality. I have to say reality isn't that bad when you have had a break from it!!

Without boring you with many pictures and vacation posts I will end my trip with my favorite new store to find wonderful items, Nest 30A.

When I read the sign on the front of the building I knew I had to check it out. I mean who wouldn't be inquisitive with the name Nest.

The front porch was adorned with goodies to intrigue you to enter.

I was greeted by their furry baby (wish I got a picture of him) and by the owner Ali.

Her and her husband just moved to Florida from Birmingham. They opened this dream store recently.

Love the cubbies on this piece! The store was spilling over with fab furniture, accessories and art.

This cart was amazing. Made from reclaimed wood. Look at those wheels!!

Nice mirror reflecting the store and the little bird art was adorable.

This was one of my favorite pieces and don't you just love that big bottle on top and the floor mirrors that stood by its side.... wow!

All of the pieces were tagged with their signature tags, that Ali was proud to say, her husband created.

I love the atmosphere and friendly attitude. They were so welcoming and excited to show off their little piece of paradise. Everything was beautiful. The prices were great too! I am sure they will prosper in this location.

So if you are near 30A Seaside, Grayton Beach or any of the beautiful surrounding areas go check them out! I promise you won't be disappointed. 1414 County Highway 283 South, Unit C, Grayton Beach, FL.

For more great pictures go check out their Facebook page.

Thanks again Ali for the fabulous tour and the great shopping!!

Eating near Sugar Sands and Emerald Water

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is try new restaurants.  When I visit the ocean I want seafood, seafood and some more seafood!

I had the pleasure of going to a new place right on 30-A called V Seagrove. When I walked in the place I was greeted by friendly staff that showed me the bar. I was more interested in the lighting! LOL

I only had my phone to take pictures but I could pass this twig light up! I loved the illuminated pattern it grazed the ceiling with.

When we were seated we ordered a cheese plate appetizer. Pricey but good. Everything on vacation is pricey, might as well enjoy good food.

The outside seating area was beautiful with pools fountains and even an herb garden. I had the Grouper, a staple for me. It was cooked to perfection. I shared frozen key lime pie with my husband for dessert. Everything was farm to table with organic and free hormone foods.  I would put this on the list to return to. My favorite so far!

For better pictures check out V Seagrove here!