Phew… Haven 2013 Recap

Psssst… this post *might* contain affiliate links: see my disclosure here.

Given my schedule for the last few days, there’s nothing else I could be writing about today BUT my time spent at the amazing Haven Conference in Atlanta, GA. (Unless you want a pretty detailed recap of either the Real Housewives of the OC or Hoarders… that’s what I watched yesterday afternoon during nap time once I got home to CT.)

As many of you know, this blogging hat is a new-ish one for me. (For the first time I claimed it as a ‘profession’ on some paperwork recently… although I suspect that’s still a bit of a stretch.) You mention blogger to most people and they envision a 20-something young man holed up in his parents’ basement writing about the latest version of World of Combat. Needless to say, it wasn’t something I lead with… until now: Hi! My name is Charlotte. I’m a blogging mom of three and I love myself a good flea market.

 

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The wonder of spending two straight days with women who also blog is that the daily passion and routine I found when we moved to the burbs and Ciburbanity was born is no longer this individual and private endeavor- I have a tribe. A team. A consortium. Which is empowering and legitimizing.

As with any large event in which you get to network and share ideas with like minded peeps, I came away with many (MANY) action items and ideas. For a Type A gal like myself, this is completely exhilarating… I have a categorized spread sheet all rarin’ to go, y’all! Advertising…Layout…Content… Photography… Blogging Buddies… Social Media… SO many wonderful topics covered via speakers or just chatting with other veteran bloggers over breakfast lunch or dinner.

It was a good sort of tiring… every break between sessions was a chance to introduce myself and pick the brains of a whole room full of people speaking the same language. The bloggers in attendance ranged from those who read blogs and are just starting up their own… to others with book deals because of the success of their blog!

I have PILES of beautiful business cards from everyone who I met and chatted with. To come away from a ‘working weekend’ with a whole host of new blogging buddies is delicious icing on the Haven cake!

 

If you don’t know them already, definitely check out these cool chickitas and their inspired blogs:

Christina @ Homemade Ocean

Jessica @ Gourley Girl and Guy

Angie @ Angie’s Roost

Lisa @ Before Meets After

Melody @ My Passion For Decor

Jenna @ The Suburban Urbanist

Laura @ A Step in the Journey

Not to mention the “Pros” who led the sessions or generally caused our jaws to drop in reverence as they walked in our midst:

Sherry from Young House Love

Katie from Bower Power

Mandi from Vintage Revivals (who p.s. might as well retire and become a super model…)

Carrie from Making Lemonade (an early blogging mentor!)

Kelly from A View Along the Way (ever hysterical)

Dusty from All Things G and D (we bonded over social work/ counseling and her hilarious post about last year’s conference)

Sarah from The Ugly Duckling House (who has my ultimate favorite head shot of any blogger!)

KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms (she might be a legitimate cure for depression)

Tauni from SNAP

Kristen from Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke

Brooke from All Things Thrifty (who will forever get credit for any increase in my google search engine rankings)

Heather from At The Picket Fence

I could go on and on and on! The amazing team at Haven couldn’t have pulled off a more memorable weekend from the food to the sponsors to the SWAG to the ‘extras’ (hello, flash mob?!)… a chance to get away from the grind of everyday life is a treat to begin with, but to also come home feeling energized (if not slightly tired), motivated and connected… well that’s the bees knees.

Until next year, Haven!

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22 Comments

    1. Ha! Two things I already know: 1) My kids ALWAYS ask what I mean when I tell my iphone to type “dot dot dot” when I’m using the voice command for texting… so clearly we have THAT in common, and 2) Your YHL recap is amazeballs. We were just coming out from under hurricane Sandy (like literally I went to the signing en route back to our house from evacuating, so I didn’t get the chance to embrace it quite the way I wished I could have… but I’ll live vicariously through your post!! Keep in touch… I want in on your tribe, girl! xx

  1. Okay, so HOW did I only see you and get a chance to interact for like 4.2 seconds?! I was hoping we’d get a chance to hang out, but I’m glad we at least got to meet, and establish official pronunciation of your blog name. That was important. 🙂 Next year: more time!

    1. I KNOW! I felt like I chatted with SO many people for like 4″ each… I wasn’t much good after 8:00 both nights sadly… Without a little pop of champagne, hard to keep the engines burning these days. 🙂 Next year an actual arranged sit down. Until then, let my cyber love affair for all things VATW march on! xx

    1. Amazing!! Next year I’m going to have a full binder with people’s photos and blogs so that I make sure to meet way more amazing bloggers! Thanks for stopping by. xx

  2. Oh man, the guy at his computer in the basement? Baaaahahahaahahaha I miss you already and can’t wait to keep following you on your blogging journey! Thanks for the shout out, girl! Love!

  3. First of all, I’m sad we only got to chat for a minute so that’s #1 on my list for Haven next year. Second of all, whaaaaaat am I doing on the second list? Haha! I’m definitely not worthy to be among those elite names. 😉 I’m so excited to see all the big things that are going to happen for you this year, girlie!

    1. I know! The time flew by. I didn’t get nearly enough time with half the people I met… And yes- definitely on the 2nd list. 🙂 I feel like I’m watching paint dry with the slow crawl up the blogging ladder, but it’s still super fun for me and that’s numero uno. (I still remember your first few tips and that was one of them!) Til next year if not sooner!! xx

    1. You, my gorgeous blogging guru, are b-a-n-a-n-a-s awesome. Waiting with baited breath for the reveal of your killer master bedroom… Loved meeting you and can’t wait to continue following your genius-ness! xx

    1. Agreed!! Can’t wait to ‘read all about it.’ I’m sure your nursery will be adorable!!! 🙂 Until next year! xx

  4. It was great to meet my fellow CT blogger. I was just going to message you about an idea I had! Loved meeting you and hers to next year Haven2014!

    1. The event wouldn’t have been so great without such amazing participation from brands like you!!! Thanks!! Already looking forward to Haven 2014. 🙂