Are you ready for an unforgettable journey through our recent Atlanta adventure? Prepare for a delightful mix of charming family moments, inspiring professional insights, and a dash of playful embarrassment (mostly from me and Katie B). This extensive recap promises a treasure trove of memories featuring our adorable kids, Clara and Will, alongside tantalizing sneak peeks of exciting house crashing escapades and unique roadside shopping finds. Oh yes, we’re diving deep into an experience that was as enriching as it was entertaining. Let’s embark on this detailed exploration together!
Our four-day sojourn in Atlanta was a whirlwind of activity, and while this post features over 40 cherished photographs, it truly represents just the tip of our road trip iceberg. Future detailed articles will delve deeper into our fascinating House Crashing experiences, offer a juicy window-shopping guide from our time on the road, and even include a spontaneous thrift store video that Katie and I filmed in a single take (yes, an unexpected chat mid-recording added to the charm!). We’re sifting through over a thousand photos to bring you these comprehensive stories. But for now, let’s immerse ourselves in the amazing, inspiring, and delightfully chaotic lovefest that was the Haven Conference. We had an absolute blast, and to the incredible organizers, we extend our heartfelt gratitude—we can only imagine the monumental effort involved. It was an absolute joy to simply arrive and connect with hundreds of fellow DIY enthusiasts and blog lovers.
Taking the Stage: Our Haven Conference Keynote Experience
Rhoda, from Southern Hospitality Blog, captured this moment.
About a year prior, we were honored with an invitation to be the keynote speakers for the Haven Conference. We accepted swiftly, before nervousness could set in and prompt any second-guessing. That gave us a full year to meticulously plan how to avoid making a complete spectacle of ourselves. Did it work perfectly? Of course not. Somehow, my speech managed to incorporate a certain whimsical word into at least five sentences, much to the audience’s amusement. It was one of those “you had to be there” moments that no amount of explanation could truly capture. Nevertheless, we were incredibly touched by the genuinely kind words we received from the organizers, sponsors, and attendees afterward. Despite our quirky humor, we’re calling it a resounding success. For those consumed by curiosity about how that particular word found its way into our presentation, a detailed rundown of our chat is available here.
This candid shot was taken by Sarah of Ugly Duckling House.
Truth be told, we hadn’t quite realized we’d be speaking to a room packed with hundreds of people until much closer to the date. Our strategy was simple: don’t overthink it, and definitely don’t say that word again (we achieved 50% success on that front!). Our presentation centered around 11 mostly subconscious “decisions” that had profoundly shaped the trajectory of our blog. Essentially, we shared our journey, from determining our posting frequency to how we inadvertently stumbled into turning our passion into a business. Every time I glanced at the crowd, half-expecting yawns or distractions, I was met instead with genuine smiles and engaged faces. The palpable warmth and support in that room were truly incredible, making us feel so comfortable that perhaps a little extra humor, or “mouth fart” as I affectionately called it, might have slipped out. (Still not getting better, I know!)
I honestly couldn’t have navigated that stage without John. Sharing the keynote spotlight with him made the experience incredibly fun; we could lean on each other, indulge in our dorky banter, and keep each other at ease. Apparently, from certain angles, I even seemed to enjoy subtly hiding behind him.
Captured by Debbie of Refresh Restyle.
I definitely fell into the habit of locking eyes with a few select individuals in the audience throughout our entire talk, probably smiling a bit too intensely and perhaps creeping them out. So, a sincere thank you to those brave souls who didn’t cry or bolt for the exit under my prolonged, enthusiastic gaze.
Another wonderful capture by Rhoda.
While John and I were delivering our talk, our dear friend Katie, as you might have seen on her blog, was graciously hanging out with our little Clara and her tinkler (our chihuahua, Burger) back in our hotel room. Aren’t they just the cutest trio? I might be a little biased, but I think so!
This sweet moment was captured by Katie.
Networking, Learning, and Laughing: The Haven Conference Vibe
After our keynote, we all gathered downstairs for some mingling. The atmosphere quickly transformed into something akin to an 8th-grade dance—awkward and fun in equal measure! It was here I connected with Dusty from All Things G & D, who instantly became a real-life friend. She’s hilarious and amazing, and Katie and I felt completely at ease, just letting our authentic selves shine with her.
Another fun shot courtesy of Katie.
Beyond the keynotes, the conference offered a lineup of truly awesome and inspiring sessions. We were particularly captivated by Builder/Temptress Ana White, who was incredibly sweet and approachable in person—I couldn’t stop giggling in her presence. Let me tell you, that woman is a master with both a drill and a pair of stilettos! Consider me thoroughly impressed (and feeling substantially less coordinated). We also attended Layla and Kevin’s photography and styling session, where I absorbed a ton of invaluable knowledge.
Thanks to Katie for this photo.
One of the greatest joys was meeting people we felt we’d known forever, like the lovely and incredibly sweet Kate from Centsational Girl. These connections truly underscored the vibrant community that the Haven Conference fosters among DIY and design bloggers.
Another great shot from Katie.
While Katie and I soaked in the sessions, the guys—John and Katie’s husband Jeremy—valiantly took on kiddo duty. Wrangling two energetic toddlers and our eight-pound chihuahua, Burger (yes, he joined our road trip!), through conference crowds was no small feat. With the kids and spouses off exploring, Katie and I found ourselves in full “ladies’ night out” mode, which perfectly explains that spirited picture of us gyrating with Dusty a few photos back. This camaraderie and freedom made the conference even more enjoyable.
The day culminated in a delightful cocktail hour, complete with succulent shrimp, creamy brie, and those irresistible triangular pastries reminiscent of croissants. It was a time for genuine connection, where I met countless wonderful people, engaging in lively chats and laughter until my cheeks literally ached from smiling. This social aspect truly defines the Haven experience.
A lively snapshot by Katie.
Here’s something I didn’t think I’d admit publicly: I had a preconceived worry that conference attendees might be haughty, standoffish, or like a grown-up version of “Mean Girls.” As a self-proclaimed nerd, I imagined cliques and closed-off groups. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Whatever my expectations of a typical conference were, Haven shattered them. It was nothing short of eating, drinking, and being exceptionally merry with a community of welcoming, creative individuals.
Another great capture by Katie.
As the evening drew to a close, Katie and I, along with four other fabulous Haven attendees—Dusty from All Things G&D, Beth from Unskinny Boppy, Kent of Peachy Keen Designs, and Colleen from The Restarter Home—found ourselves shutting down a local restaurant. The place apparently closed at 9 PM, but our waiter, bless his heart, didn’t even mention it until well past 11 PM! It truly felt like a special bond had formed.
This fun dinner shot was taken by Katie.
Can I tell you the last time I stayed somewhere long enough to shut down a restaurant? Never! And after a spontaneous dance party outside the hotel, grooving to Flo Rida’s “Low” (yes, “$herdog” was in the house!), we instinctively struck another classic teenage pose—this time, of the prom variety. I love how we’re all embracing each other, with Katie even holding her baby. It perfectly encapsulates the blend of professional connection and lighthearted fun that defined our trip.
Another memorable photo from Katie.
Atlanta Family Fun: Pool Days, Zoo Adventures, and Aquarium Wonders
While we were busy being completely responsible (and not at all embarrassing) parents at the conference, John kept me updated on our children’s whereabouts with charming iPhone pictures like this:
The very next day, Katie whisked us all away to a truly fantastic public pool, complete with all the bells and whistles—a lazy river? Check. Thrilling water slides? Double check. It was absolutely amazing! After a day of “business and lady-bonding” at Haven, it was incredibly refreshing and fun to reconnect with our kiddos and enjoy some quality family time.
I genuinely missed John the day before, so our reunion was particularly sweet. Yes, it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. When you work together constantly, you really feel the absence of your other half. Thankfully, I had Katie B as my “wifey-for-the-day” at Haven to keep me company!
Speaking of Katie, this girl is incredible—she even has a waterproof case for her Flip camera! I was genuinely amazed, so much so that I felt compelled to add a third-person caption to this photo. Totally normal, right?
Yes, we all recorded our thrilling descents down the water slides. Except for me. I was wearing shorts (a precautionary measure to avoid swimsuit wedgies after numerous childhood water slide mishaps!), which meant I glided down at approximately one mile an hour. My non-slippery shorts provided far too much friction, making for a hilarious, slow-motion experience. I think people might have genuinely thought I was stuck at one point!
These next three photos, courtesy of Katie, illustrate a few key points. For instance, this one shows the best we could do with our kids on our laps, which is to say: our kids are incredibly wiggly.
And this next photo is my attempt to squash any lingering pregnancy rumors (I’m looking at you, Mom!). They seem to start whenever I’m strategically blocking my belly with something, be it plywood or a child (as seen above). I won’t lie, I’m totally sucking it in here. No imaginary baby, just a natural “leftover-from-Clara” roll or two. See, I told you I was the cool kid at the pool, rocking jean shorts to fend off water slide wedgies.
This photo simply demonstrates my rugged athletic prowess. Never mind that I’m not actually swimming, but merely resting my belly on the bottom of the shallow end of the pool. It’s all about perception!
Keeping with our water theme, Beansie (Clara) had an absolutely fantastic time exploring the creek behind the Bowers’ house with Will. She was a diligent follower, observing his every move as he embraced his inner little explorer.
The following day brought us to Zoo Atlanta, an absolute highlight of our trip. I know I keep saying everything was “the best,” but truly, this entire series of days was incredibly fun, so bear with me. Or lion with me. (That pun definitely sounded smoother in my head!)
I adore this picture. I’m actively fighting my instincts to make an even more terrible pun, like “my daughter likes to monkey around.”
Oh, and we took a ride on the zoo’s train, which was easily Clara’s favorite part—aside from the “scary, scary tunnel.” She navigated it like a true champion, I think knowing her brave little man was right behind her for defense helped immensely.
Then it was carousel time! Clara enjoyed it, but I absolutely loved it. Nearly all the photos show me with my mouth open a little too wide. What can I say? “Too Excited” is practically my middle name.
The following day was dedicated to the Georgia Aquarium. The whale sharks? Absolutely awesome. I’m genuinely speechless, except for that one word, apparently.
It’s a wonderfully interactive space, and Clara had a blast climbing into little nooks and observation bubbles, peering at all the magnificent fish swimming around her.
She was particularly fascinated by spying on the playful penguins.
And she loved gazing up at the fish as they swam gracefully overhead in the incredible underwater tunnel, offering panoramic views of creatures of all shapes and sizes.
But without a doubt, her favorite specimen was still Will. Here she is, inching closer and closer to him…
She’s quite the close talker, just like her mom!
Oh my goodness, and this is my absolute favorite room in the entire aquarium: the colossal tank housing all the majestic whale sharks. We easily spent a good half-hour there, simply mesmerized, staring in awe at these gentle giants.
It seems Clara’s enjoyment of climbing into all the little nooks and bubbles at the aquarium was indeed a “like-mother-like-daughter” trait. This next series of embarrassing photos was captured in plain sight of anyone walking by at the time. First, there’s me, growling playfully and attempting some form of water aerobics, incorporating a rather “sexy” side lunge:
But then, inexplicably, I switched gears, stopped growling, adopted a completely nondescript facial expression, and added jazz hands. My antics certainly provided some unexpected entertainment for passersby!
We found it quite amusing to spot a Home Depot logo prominently displayed in the middle of the aquarium, so naturally, we all struck a pose, embracing our true identities as big DIY dorks. Everyone, that is, except for sweet Jeremy, who was perfectly content taking the picture, corralling Will, and pretending he didn’t know us. Haha!
Just look at the glorious hair situation I have going on here. A giant chunk of hair shooting over my sunglasses like a rebellious wave? That’s a sure sign of a truly good time!
Road Trip Treasures: House Crashing & Shopping Expeditions
Of course, our Atlanta adventure wasn’t all fun and games delicious bacon and Bower family fun. We managed to squeeze in more than a few thrilling house crashings! Woot! Here’s a little taste from two houses that couldn’t have been more different, showcasing precisely why we adore house crashing—there’s an endless variety of rooms to snoop around, snap photos of, and ultimately share with all of you.
Rest assured, there’s much more where that came from! We can’t wait to get those captivating images organized and uploaded for dedicated posts.
And let’s not forget our delightful window shopping excursions. First, we explored the treasure trove that is the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney, South Carolina, always a source of inspiration and potential finds.
…and then we ventured to Mary Jo’s Cloth Store, just outside of Charlotte, NC. I actually scored two yards of pure awesomeness there! I’ll be sure to share more detailed shopping insights and my fabric finds in an upcoming window-shopping rundown.
And, of course, we couldn’t miss our annual pilgrimage to Goodwill to record another entertaining thrift store video for you, much like this one from yesteryear. These videos are always a blast to create and watch!
Wrapping Up Our Atlanta Journey
So, amidst our ongoing DIY projects and home updates, we’ll be sprinkling in these fun little Atlanta adventures over the next few weeks. From the energy of the Haven Conference to the joy of family outings at the zoo and aquarium, and the excitement of house crashing and thrifting, our trip was truly packed with memorable moments. We’re excited to share every detail and inspire your own adventures.
Did any of you embark on anything fun this past weekend? Any other Haven attendees out there with hilarious (or highly embarrassing!) photos to share from the conference? Do you have any big road trips coming up in your future? I must admit, we initially dreaded the 8.5 hours in the car each way with a toddler and a dog, but surprisingly, it wasn’t nearly as bad as we anticipated! Share your experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!