HAVEN 2012 CONFERENCE {My Leap of FAITH}

As some of you may (or may not) know, I made a commitment to myself that I will no longer allow my fear of ____(fill in the blank)____ stop me from LIFE!! 

 I am making an effort to truly LIVE!  You know... doing things that are so far outside of my comfort zone, that I shock even myself!

{you can read about that HERE}

Well, I went, I schmoozed, and I kicked some major butt!!

So much so, that I was dubbed a "social butterfly"! WHAAA?!

Kristy = 1

Fear= 0

Now...

It's time to talk HAVEN!

Can you say PAR-TAAYY!!

This conference was not only INCREDIBLY informative, but it was also SOOO MUCH FUN!

I was awe-struck by so many creative geniuses and I even got to know some on a personal level!! 

[and some, not so much... afterall, Rome wasn't built in a day people!! I mean, I can only be ON so much before I completely combust!]

   
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If you're thinking of attending a conference, here's some fun shots and what you can expect!!

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Aimee Broussard from Aimee Broussard,  she's our funny photo bomber, Susie Harris from Susie Harris, and Carole Murphy from Blue Chateau Interiors {my bloggy BFF}

These are my sweet, sweet friends and suite mates!  (Susie was a neighbor... we didn't sleep 5 people to a room. Oh heavens no!)
 This picture totally sets the mood of the entire conference! :)

Y'all!  I met some of the sweetest, funnest, FUNNIEST women I've ever met! Unfortunately, I don't have photos of or with all of them... cuz THAT would've been skirting on the edge of creepy!
((I think one of the funniest couples of all times HAS to be John and Sherry from Young House Love!! I mean, I could totally see us being BFFs!!  *I got NO pict of course! Dang it!!  Cuz again.. the whole combustion/implosion thing!!)

 and this is the WONDERFULLY kind and lovely Terri Williams from Crafty Workin Mommy

*also my suite mate* and FRIEND :)

At a conference... expect SWAG!!!!!  and SWAG is GOOD!

  This is just some of what we got! 

OH MY, YES!!

Carole, Leslie ~ the OH SO FUNNY, IRIS from The Bearded Iris , and Aimee

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Expect to meet and MAKE friends!! 

My sweet, sweet dear friend Logan from Life for Dessert!
I truly love this woman!!

I think my face says it all~~  I am about to COMBUST... IMPLODE... what-have-you!

I am surrounded by HUMORISTIC GREATNESS!  gahh!!!!

Kerry from HouseStalkN, Leslie and lil' ol me!

I'm only a tiny bit excited! LOL

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OH. MY. GOSH!!!  Do you SEE who we MET?!?  As in REAL LIFE met??  As in schmoozed with, people!

THIS, my friend, is Rashon Carraway... MR GOODWILL HUNTING!

He is the most fashionable, kind, informative, FUN man!  And I met him!! :)

Carole, Rashon, Logan, ME, and Anne Marie from White House Black Shutters (who, btw, is SOOOOOO sweet and talented!!!!!)

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One of the sessions I attended was all about Decorating and Design.  I am KICKING myself for not taking pictures of all 3 speakers!!   They were all SUPER and I walked away with something I can successfully implement.  That's good speaking, y'all!

Learning about patterns, textures and layering! I was in heaven!

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OH YEAHH!!! You're seeing correctly!!

Here's an example of avoiding implosion!
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!  It is Kevin and Layla from The Lettered Cottage!!

and Kate from Centsational Girl  :)

Their Photography and Photo Staging session was AWESOME!!  I learned so much!

For instance, when taking that money shot, take a photo and LOOK at the composition. Is it balanced?

Sometimes, just moving (or skooching) the placement of one item can make an impact!
{can you find what was skooched??}

Kevin and Josh (which I could kick myself for not getting a picture of the two of them~  Do you see a pattern?? I'm kicking myself an aweful lot people!!) have an online training site for photography~  which I totally will be taking, called shoot Fly shoot.  How creative is THAT name?!  LOVE IT!!

Monica from East Coast Creative, yeah... let's just say I could not have learned ANYTHING in the photography class with out HER!! ;) 


 


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Our tablescapes were precious!! I especially loved the REPURPOSING of glass/ceramic ware and spray paint!! GENIUS!!!

HELLO Goodwill! I'll be seein ya soon!






~~see why it's important to take the time to NOTICE what's in your picture?!  DOH!!!!~~
*stupid cup and straw*

Dinner with friends!!
me, Darlene from Fieldstone Hill Design, and Logan

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Our sponsors were great!! I regret I didn't get photos of everyone!
{pahlease accept my apologies!}

Terri and I having some fun at the lunch table!  We're adults... It's allowed  ; )




I just couldn't get enough of my Leslie-Iris!! I just love her to pieces!!!

  




AAHHH!! BRITTANYYYYY aka Pretty Handy Girl!!!! 

And YES, this is Anna White... and YES she is ROCKIN those purple pumps!!

Power Tools from Ryobi... UM, yes, please!!

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THIS fun little do-hickey was in our swag bag! Look what it does!



This, my friend, is gonna be FUN!



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Annie Sloan had a super fun booth!  Spin the wheel... win a prize!!
(well, if you're lucky... and I was!! woohoo!)

 

 







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As I close, I want to encourage you all to LIVE!  Truly LIVE!
Take a chance on life!
See what's around the next corner!


GET OUT OF THE BOAT SO YOU, TOO, CAN WALK ON WATER!

Because if you don't... you may be missing out on some of the greatest blessings God has in store for you!!



HUGS and L♥VE to you all!!

k.