Build Shed: Fabulous Haven 2013

Fabulous Haven 2013

Wow, Wow, Wow!

I had a FABULOUS long weekend.

Im going to warn you right now there are going to be a lot of exclamations points throughout this post

AND

words written in all CAPS

AND

Im going to use the word FABULOUS

A LOT!!!

Have to tell you right now that Im a little reserved when I meet you in person

but Im jumping up and down inside and trying to contain myself, just like I am as I write this post and remembering how FABULOUS this weekend was!

First off, everyone and everything at the Grand Hyatt Buckhead was FABULOUS!

The staff went out of their way to attend to every need and was so very helpful. Everyone that I encountered from the parking attendant, valets, driver, front desk, bellmen, banquet servers, wait staff....ALL were so friendly and helpful.

I loved my home away from home while I was at the conference.

Our sponsors were FABULOUS, as well and treated us with like queens! (there were a few kings who attended Haven, as well)

I ran into these ladies Thursday night at the Homes.com mixer. Later, we all went to dinner with another Kim (youll see her later.)

Yall know who these ladies are right?

Kim from Savvy Southern Style (on the left), Yvonne from Stone Gable (center) and Shirley from Housepitality Designs.

Ran into these ladies the first night too. Heather and Vanessa from At The Picket Fence. They are even sweeter and prettier in person.

Finally got to meet Becca from Adventures In Decorating.

Doesnt she look fun?

The Home Depot and Rustoleum hosted a cocktail party for us on Friday night where we got to rub elbows with some more FABULOUS bloggers... Janette and Jordan from Two Seasons with Rhoda from Southern Hospitality in between them.

Ryobi invited all of us to a swanky soiree at the Intercontinental Hotel later on Saturday night and it was,

you guessed it,

FABULOUS

The Ryobi guys showed up with their Ryobi umbrellas and danced to "Its Raining Men". I was too busy hootin and hollerin to take a photo. Sorry about that!

Ryobis photographer did, however, capture some crazy bloggers doing the "DIY Shuffle"


Ryobi Power Tools

My first Cosmo...so pretty!

Heres the lady whose blog got me hooked on blogs...Susan from Between Naps On The Porch.

Fun at the Ryobi Party...

Ryobi Power Tools

Ryobi Power Tools

The Sessions were FABULOUS too.

Ana White gave the opening session.

I learned so much. The information in the sessions were definitely worth the price of admission.

My head was swimming after one session called Google guice (juice). And no, you dont have it for breakfast as Mr. Fanatic joked about.

haven conference, Atlanta, Grand Hyatt Buckhead

Saturday morning was the second day of the Ballard Designs Bookcase Challenge. I pegged this one right away as one of the winners.

I wasnt biased in the least because my new friend Kim from La Belle Epoque was on the team. Kims the cute blond on the far left.

I was so excited to meet Ana White. She is so sweet and talked with me as if we had known each other for a long time.

Then theres KariAnne, another sweetie. She was smiling everytime I saw her.

Found Roeshel from DIY Showoff on Saturday and had to take a pic with her. Hers was one of the first diy blogs I followed.

Then, there was the FABULOUS swag that I got to bring home.

Kreg gave everyone a choice of one of three Kreg tools. Mr. Fanatic wanted a Rip Cut. Not sure what that is, but Im hoping he will make something fabulous with it.

Now heres what I really want....A Ryobi Impact Driver. Its lightweight and has more power, making it easier for me to use, instead of having to wait for Mr. Fanatic to do something.