Good morning Friends and New Friends! For all that I met at Haven it was such a thrill. I have to say it’s the people that definitely make the experience what it is.

Roxanne (The Honeycomb Home), my fellow NJ girl and travel buddy.

So where to begin on this whirlwind of a conference that had me laughing, cringing, breaking it down (and I don’t just mean affiliate marketing tips), creating, and all the hugs and handshakes you can imagine.

This was my second year attending and it was such a different experience the second time around. Last year I felt like not only a newbie but also just overwhelmed from it being my first experience. I felt like I took back a ton of information and then just had no idea where to go with it all.

This year I was more excited about seeing old friends and meeting those that I had yet to meet in person for the first time.  My roommate Jess (domicile37) and I hit off right away. Two totally different design styles, but we were the roommates that stayed up talking late at night (like we were two little girls at a slumber party) chatting about blogging ideas, business ideas, our kids, and shared tons of laughs. Especially when we got caught in the pouring rain coming back from the store to grab a notebook for myself. We thought these plastic bags would save our hair.

and please don’t mind any of these photos, these are all taken on my cell phone and some by others…so don’t except magazine worthy here!

So, the classes this year of course were filled with knowledge from all the top bloggers that, just got it together! It can for sure be overwhelming, but taking one step at a time can make things a whole lot easier to handle.

We enjoyed two great parties both Friday night and Saturday, that left with us dancing craz-ed bloggers and the Ryobi team closing down the party. Who knew bloggers could dance???

I know the picture quality is ehhh…but I had to share this moment of us feeling like celebs.

and then of course this is what happens when home decor bloggers turn their cameras on themselves. We clearly have no idea how to take a selfie lol.

That’s a little better.

Pictured Above: Heather (Southern Frame of Mind), Rachael (This is Our Bliss), Kim (Hunt and Host), Me, Sharon (Pink Tool Girl), and Jess (Domicile37)

Oh or we can just ask the DJ to take the photo to make it easier.

Well, the next morning was a little tough to get up, but still 2 more classes to go!

I decided to start the day off early, no thinking required but just enjoy what I love and that is to create. I took a Miss Mustard Seed Class on her paint and it was so fabulous listening to her talk and learning about her product. I think I may start to switch over to milk paint now that I’ve officially tried some.

look at us, painting with Miss Mustard seed in our Aprons! I loved it! and my girl Crystal from The Weathered Fox, was one of those that I couldn’t wait to officially meet in person.

I had to end my time at Haven early to catch the only flight back to Atlantic City that day, so I was bummed that I was going to miss the closing ceremony with Young House Love! I know isn’t that awful…at least I got to be in their presence on the dance floor the night before. Oh and I’m pretty sure I stepped on John’s foot too lol. Only Bloggers get star struck by other bloggers…J-lo aint got nothin on those two.

So back home to NJ, and now going through all my collected cards, and notes, and hoping to grow this blog to be more of a place for inspiration for you all.

Hang onto your paint brushes…because the creativity has only begun!