As I write this, I’m envisioning 300 other women just like me trying to put into words the experience that is Haven. How does one do justice to an event that brought together so many talented, creative and giving women in one place?
Like most stories, it’s best to start at the beginning.
I arrived at Haven on Thursday, along with my newly painted toes and highlighted hair, and immediately felt the energy and anticipation of what the next three days would bring. Three days of learning, meeting new friends and gaining new skills. Haven did not disappoint. Thursday night was kicked off with a cocktail party, and I shamelessly ambushed Rhoda, a true sweetheart and one of the Founders of Haven,
and Karianne, one of the presenters and a real honest to goodness treasure, for a photo. (I’m putting Sandra Bullock on notice…Karianne is the undisputed real Miss Congeniality.)
The next day I attended a paint workshop taught by Miss Mustard Seed. She taught us some paint techniques using Milk and Chalk Paint.
I attended some other hands on workshops taught by awesomely talented ladies who rocked power tools like nobody’s business.
And in between workshops I exchanged cards with tons of women from all over the country.
But the workshops only told part of the story. The workshops don’t tell the story of the women who shared their knowledge and inspiration, or the enthusiastic and super generous vendors who gave us tons of free samples, hands on instruction and shared their product knowledge.
And it certainly doesn’t tell the story of my last night at Haven, when I ran into one of my blog idols, Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. I love Susan’s style, but when her precious cat Max died a couple of months ago, I truly felt her sadness and cried along with her. That’s the kind of person she is. Real and about as genuine as they come.
After talking a bit, she asked if I wanted to join her and some other awesome bloggers for a trip to Pottery Barn and then dinner.
OMG!!
Before she could even finish her sentence, I was sitting in her car and we were on our way. Was I dreaming??! Me, this tiny little blogger hanging with the best of them! I couldn’t have hoped for a better night.
Thank you Haven! You’ve inspired me to do better, be better and create better. Till next year…
Thistle says
You go girl!!!!!!!!!! I would have flipped if Susan had asked me to go shopping!!!!!!!!!!
So awesome to meet you (and I LOVE the bag)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are such a rock star!
karianne
Angela says
I want details!!! LOL!!! I couldn’t stop thinking about you girls all weekend….I was so depressed! LOL!! I’m glad you had a terrific time!!~~Angela
joy says
I wished I could.be there too:)
Inspirational! Have a nice week ahead:)
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you Joy! It’s good to be home!
Cindy says
I was there and don’t know how I missed you!!! So true, wonderful conference and Karianne is sweet beyond words! It was a highlight for me to also meet Susan, I didn’t bring up Max and all the prayers I was saying for them both through that time, I was so afraid it may upset her. Susan’s blog is among the ones that inspired me to begin blogging. GREAT fun!
Blessings,
Cindy
Doreen@househoneys says
There were several people I missed Cindy :(. I think with 300 women it can be easy to do. In fact, I didn’t meet any of the women I ‘knew’ prior. If I go again, I would definitely get contact info and decide ahead of time when/where to meet up.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cindy Eikenberg says
I love hearing your Haven experience and thank you SO much for sharing it with those of us who couldn’t be there. It sounds totally awesome all around! You think pretty fabulous, by the way! 🙂 Thrilled that you had such and amazing time. Have a happy Monday! 🙂
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you sweet friend! I wish you could have been there! Maybe next year??
Denise says
Sounds like an amazing few days. I so enjoy reading your blog and I’m so glad you’re meeting like-minded people and having a great time. You rock! xxDenise
Doreen@househoneys says
YOU rock Denise! Thanks so much for keeping up with my shenanigans ;). It means the world to me!
Cynthia says
Doreen,
I am so glad to hear about your Haven experience!!! That is one that I will be envious if you don’t mind. I would love meet and attend this conference. Meeting so many of these women that are terrific at what they do and have so much to teach. I truly wish I could go to this one day but my travel days are pretty much at a stand still with the MS since I can’t walk great. I can live vicariously through you and take in what you tell and share with us!!
Cynthia
Jane says
I’ve always wanted to do this!!! I guess I’m just on the shy side…just a tad! Now…let’s hear all about the Pottery Barn trip and dinner!!
XO,
Jane
P.S. You looked beautiful!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Wow! Haven reads like Heaven! It’s adorable how you described meeting your blogging idol Susan. Awww! I can’t wait to read about your trip to Pottery Barn and dinner with her. I must say though, you’re an awesome blogger yourself. 😉
Cheryl says
It was great to meet you at Haven! It was one of the best weekends I’ve had in a very long time. I was too nervous to speak to any of my blogging idols, although they all seemed as sweet as can be. I’m so glad you had the courage to speak to some of yours, and even got to go shopping with them! Awesome! I’m so excited to have found your blog and look forward to following along.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Doreen, So wonderful to meet you and hang out at Haven!!!! You put into words what mot of us were feeling!!! Keep in touch!
Lauren @ The Endearing Home says
Love your Haven post! That is so awesome that you had dinner and went shopping with Susan, her blog is one of my favorites too!
I took a peek at your porch post and it is beautiful, girl I just have to ask, do you have a home tour? It looks like you live in a log cabin, that is seriously like a dream home of mine, would love to see more!!! Keep in touch and hope to see you next year!
Doreen Sargente says
Hi Lauren! Thanks so much for stopping by! This house is a log cabin, but it’s our weekend home currently and we hope to be there at least a few months out of the year when we retire which hopefully will be soon (fingers/toes crossed). The previous owners added an extension to the house and unfortunately they didn’t match the facade in the back with the front, which is the log part.
I don’t have a house tour yet (bad blogger), but if you want to see some before/afters you can go here http://foxdenrd.com/before-after-photos-of-our-cabin/
It’s a work in progress because we’re only there on weekends and well…you know how that goes! I’m definitely going to do a tour though even if it’s not finished. That’s one of the things I took away from the weekend.
And yeah…can you believe I went to dinner with Susan and 9 other biggies??!! Pinch me.
Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
Doreen, I almost missed this post. I’m trying to avoid blog posts about Haven right now, fearing I’ll see a picture of me in one of them! HA! 🙂 it was so much fun meeting you and going on that quick PB excursion and then on to dinner. You were as lovely in person as you are here in blogland! XO
Doreen@househoneys says
Lol Susan! I totally know what you mean about the pictures! Funny how time has a way of creeping up on us, but you are as beautiful outside as inside and you have nothing to worry about in that dept.
Thanks again for a lovely evening! xxoo