Haven Recap 2015

Come hear all the details about the blogger’s conference called Haven!

For the past few days I’ve been at the DIY blogger’s conference called Haven in Atlanta, Georgia.

It’s a looooong flight from Vancouver, BC!

It’s my third year and I look forward to it every year.

It’s the perfect mix of learning new things with socializing and meeting brands.

Each year it’s like a reunion going back to see old friends and meeting new ones.

I didn’t think I was going to make it this year but I’m so glad I did!

So here’s my Haven Recap 2015

Haven Recap 2015 poster.

Haven has the best swag hands down!

The swag bags from Haven.

Bags, paint and DIY stuff.
I have to bring an extra suitcase to bring it all back with me. One suitcase of mine was 49 lbs (that was a close one!)

All the swag laid out including paint brushes.

Classes

You probably know by now that Jenna is my BBFF (blogging BFF) and we always room together. Well this year she was giving a talk with Karianne and Laura so I had to be there! You rocked it girl!

A woman talking about branding at the conference.

I had the pleasure of meeting this dear woman, Amy Howard (I’m sure you’ve heard of her!). She has her own luxury paint line and was in the furniture manufacturing business for years. I had the honor of chatting with her for a bit. You know when you meet someone and you just click? Like you’ve always known each other or were meant to meet? That’s how I feel about her. She’s truly an amazingly accomplished woman and has a wonderful soul.

Amy Howard / Haven Recap 2015 giving a talk.

We got to practice painting at her workshop that she held at Haven and I produced this 6-step process on raw moulding. It truly is a one of a kind luxury product line. There was a product called Dust of Ages that I put on after this and didn’t take a photo but it made the wood look even more aged.

Aging wood with a product.

I used her Antique Mirror Solution on THIS project I did last year and fell her in love with her products right then and there.

It was wonderful meeting you, Amy!

Jamie taking a picture with Amy Howard.

Brands

There were so many wonderful brands at Haven this year.

I finally got to meet Danielle from Kirkland’s (hi Danielle!) and hang out with the guys from La-Z-Boy and Rheem.

The girls at Moen and Home Decorator’s Collection were so cool too.

Check out the entire list of vendors and sponsors HERE.

Jamie in a picture with two guys on a couch.
Jamie in a grey dress with two gladiator guys.

Friends

Haven would not be complete for me if it wasn’t for seeing friends.

These online friends are truly amazing. We all ‘get’ each other first of all because our passion for all things DIY and home decor but we also help promote each other’s work, support each other and sometimes just listen! It’s amazing how wifi, Google Hangouts, FB groups and texts can make the world seem a smaller place.

This year I finally got to meet Jen from City Farmhouse. YA!

A sweet picture of Jamie and her firend in a white blouse and red pants.

I met Liz from Liz Marie Blog last year but this year finally got a picture with her. Yep, I totally added a photo with my eyes closed.

Jamie pictured with another blogger.

I got to meet Lauren from Bless’er House this year and so happy to see Rachel from Maison de Pax again (my French BBFF).

Three blogger girls standing together at Haven.

It was awesome to see Abby from Just a Girl and Her Blog and Chelsea from Making Home Base again.

The four bloggers in a conferece room posing for a picture.

First time meeting Bre from Rooms for Rent. We had a blast going out to a Mexican dinner with Bre, her hubby, Jen and I.

Having drinks at Haven.

The next night I went out with these lovely ladies:

Chelsea, Abby, April from House by Hoff, Sarah from Life on Virginia St, Rachel, Amy from The Blissful Bee and Jenna.

All the girls sitting at a table for dinner.

Oh Jenna, we are such a comedy act together. I have this tendency to knock Jenna over when I hug her so this year she decided to jump up on me!! Of course I wasn’t ready for it.

That last bottom photo was us asking, wait…did someone get all that? Of course! We’re bloggers, always armed with a camera. Thanks April 😉

Having fun with the girls at Haven 2015.

Jenna, I even had time for room service!! Can you believe it?

Pancake breakfast in the hotel.

So needless to say, I love going to Haven, love meeting brands, learning new things and, of course, seeing friends!

Be Sure To Check Out:

Haven Recap 2013 Part I

Haven Recap 2013 Part II

Haven Recap 2014

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30 Comments

  1. I always love reading these Haven recaps! Hopefully next year I will be able to make it down. We are in the midst of a first floor renovation at the moment and it was hard to get away this year. Although I would have loved to be away from the dust and smell of fresh polyurethane from my floors…ugh. Glad you had a wonderful time!
    Shelley

    1. Oooh can’t wait for the reveal, Shelley! Next year will be great timing for you then. Can’t wait to meet you.
      Hugs, Jamie

    1. Thanks Shauna, it was! You have to go and represent the West Coast of Canada with me next year. I hope you’re renovations are going good. I can’t wait for the reveals!
      Hugs, Jamie

    1. haha I know, it is pretty awesome, Jamie. The only con is that it’s exhausting! I need a vacation from my vacation 😉 Totally worth it though. Hope you can come next year!
      Hugs, Jamie

  2. Love reading about Haven! The people you met, the things you learned. Makes me excited for what’s to come on your blog. Looks like you had a great time!

  3. Aww I love this recap! You were much better at taking pictures than I was. It was so good to finally meet you, Jamie! We’ll definitely have to hang more at the next one. It all went by so fast. Hugs!

  4. LOVED finally meeting you in person 🙂 Thanks for the shoutout! Fingers crossed we see each other next year and get to enjoy a meal together!

  5. Looks like such an awesome time… the classes, free swag, hanging out with blogging friends, etc! Would love to go next year!!! Thanks for sharing!

  6. This conference is on my must-attend list! One of these years I’ll actually make it out there, but it’s a really, really long flight from Hawaii!

    1. Oh man, that would be a long flight. I’m from Vancouver, BC so it’s still long for me. You might have to break up your trip. I love Hawaii.
      Hugs, Jamie

  7. Jamie it was so great seeing you! I’m so glad you got some time to refresh and take a break from ‘life’ for a bit…. That series of pics of you and Jenna are hilarious! You are gorgeous mama! xo

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