That’s a mouthful, huh?
A pretty good-sized group of Texas DIY bloggers (that are all going to Haven, with the exception of one) decided to get together before Haven Conference and hang out. I organized it (with some help from Tarah) and it was this past weekend! That is one of the reasons you haven’t heard much from me lately – I’ve been busy with that!
We went to Austin, TX (the best place in the world) for a full day of eating, drinking, and thrift shopping. I was completely exhausted both nights we were there, but it was so worth it to make new friends! (Making friends as an adult is hard. It really is.)
It was a success! Some of us had been to Haven before, and I hope we eased the fears of the first-timers. Going to your first conference can be very, very scary and I said several times that I wish there had been a “get to know you” weekend before we went to Haven last year. I think it was helpful for everyone this weekend, whether it was first conference jitters being calmed or just the experience of meeting strangers (that I now call friends).
Tarah and I weren’t supposed to go until early, EARLY Saturday morning, but she texted me on Thursday and asked if I could get the hotel room for Friday night as well. Well, duh, don’t twist my arm – I was already off on Friday, but I had to wait for a delivery for the goodie bags (they were awesome) so we left town as soon as that was dropped off.
I used Priceline for our hotel room and could not have been more pleased! I told the other girls what I did, they did the same thing, and we all ended up getting a great deal at the same hotel! It worked out perfectly. The Renaissance Austin Hotel in the Arboretum was perfect. Everyone there was great, friendly, and went above and beyond for us. It was definitely the best experience I have ever had in a hotel, and the fact that we were there at a highly, highly discounted rate did not seem to matter to them. I hope I can stay there every time I visit Austin! (I may try and use Priceline for a hotel in Atlanta next month as well, and cross my fingers for a Renaissance!)
We bonded over barbecue, Mexican food (twice), margaritas (twice), and thrift store shopping – and we had a blast! Yes, it was extremely hot, and our drinks from Sonic were extremely flat, but we kept on going and got to know each other a little better. I can’t wait to see everyone again in one month!
ALSO – it was Jamie’s birthday! She joined us for lunch but had to leave after we ate so she could get ready for her birthday cookout. Happy birthday, Jamie!
Okay, on to the stuff you really want to know about – who was there and what was in those goodie bags?
Strangers that I now call friends:
Top row:
Lindsay from Makely School for Girls
Jamie from C.R.A.F.T.
Me!
Jamie from Huckleberry Love
Middle row:
Cynthia (no blog YET!)
Tarah!
Sara from Major Hoff Takes A Wife
Tracey (no blog YET!)
Janis from All Things Beautiful
Front row:
Megan from Two Live Colorfully
Lydia from Huckleberry Love
Karla from Huckleberry Love
Two ladies joined us later – Amy and Jennifer (they came for dinner!)
Awesome companies that donated for the goodie bags and door prizes (I was amazed at how much we got!)
Doozie’s Corner (Cece Caldwell Paint and Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint)
Maison Blanche Paint Company (accidentally got left at Tarah’s house… we’ll smuggle it to Haven!)
What I found was that most companies were very willing and happy to contribute! I was super impressed with the response I got from one simple email explaining what I was putting together.
It was so much fun to meet everyone, and Tarah and I are so glad we had the chance to do this with all of you!
Real {Cheap} Housewives of Texas 