Haven Conference {Recap}

Hi All! I am finally rested and rejuvenated from my amazing weekend away. If you are a blogger and have never stepped out of your comfort zone to attend a blogging conference, I highly recommend it. This is my 3rd conference and my second Haven Conference. Conferences are a great way to meet so many talented individuals from around the country while learning new tips and tricks as bloggers and DIYers. If you aren't a blogger, think about different classes in your area that would be fun for you to get involved with. You never know where stepping out of your comfort zone might take you.

The conference was held at the beautiful Crown Plaza just north of downtown Atlanta. It was decorated top to bottom for our arrival. Classes were held throughout the day and cocktail events were held late into the evenings.

There might have been some dancing involved, but some things are best kept secret! hehe

During breaks throughout the day we were able to visit so many wonderful sponsors. They had some adorable booths set up where we had a chance to win a product or just connect with a representative. 

Of course I loved the Online Fabric Store booth...full of patterns and pillows! 

I even received some fabric and can't wait to get started on a project. 

{Photo with Jen & Angie}

There was also a lot of shenanigans that went on including this photo above where we are trying to take a shower together just to win a free shower head. So glad I did it because the shower head is quite fabulous and I can't wait to get it installed. 

{Me posing with Home Depot's Sign}

A bad picture, but I was trying to show some Midwest girls how to pose with the right amount of southern hip! These ladies thought it was hilarious. They kept wanting to take pictures so they could try the "southern" way of posing. Too funny! Sometimes you just have to roll with it. Did you know there was a certain way to pose in the south? Me either! HA!

These fabulous sponsors also spoiled us this year with a dynamite swag bag full of goodies:

The absolute best part of this conference was connecting with friends new and old. There are so many wonderful bloggers out there that are new to me and I so enjoyed meeting each and every one. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed last year at Haven. I thought the "big time" bloggers were stars and I was so nervous to approach them. But let me tell you...they are just like everyone else! Who knew that some of these online bloggers would become some of my closest friends in real life.

{Lauren, Danielle & me}- Raleigh Bloggers

{me & my favorite blondes Megan, Cassie & Jen}

Some new friends that I had the pleasure eating lunch with one day. They are just the sweetest and I can't wait to keep in touch with each one of them!

{Wendy, Kim, me & Claire}

{me & Sarah} So happy I got to meet this talented girl! 

{Jen & I saying our final good-bye until next year!}

I absolutely love this blogging community. It amazes me that every time I step out of my comfort zone I am the one who is blessed with new friendships to last a lifetime. Whether you are a blogger, stay at home mom or career women...make sure you take the chance to step out of your inner-circle. I promise you won't regret it! 

A HUGE thank you to the Haven Team for all of their hard work. I am so excited for next year! 

My Current {Home Decor} Wish List

Hi All! I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. We had a fabulous weekend filled with family, friends, fireworks, flags, laughing and relaxing. It was the first 4th of July that we have been around home in a long time. It was perfection.

Of course I was planning on posting yesterday and the day before, but work got in the way. Darn you work! I have a lot going on this week that I am excited about! We are finally closing on our flip home on Thursday. I have also been helping a few clients with paint consultations, staging and whole room redesigns. So it has been busy. AND I am attending the Haven Conference in Atlanta again this year and I couldn't be more excited! You might remember me posting about my experience last August. Haven is a DIY/Design blogging conference where you are introduced to new products and companies as well as attend classes on blogging, DIY, photography and decorating. It is seriously like camp for grown ups. I usually don't want to leave!

More than anything, I am excited that I get to see my blogging friends in person! There really isn't anything better. Every person I met last year was so nice and came across just as if you were reading their blog. You know what I mean? Their personalities were just like you would expect. If you want to follow along with the craziness starting on Thursday night check out my Instagram feed @eatsleepdecor.

On to today's inspiration. I am getting ready to change up a few rooms in the house and decided to share some of my current wish list items for my home with you all. These are not big ticket items, but things that will make a statement in each room of our home. I have started budgeting for them and have even hinted to the Hubs for a couple of these items for my birthday coming up this fall.

#1: West Elm Bedding
Last month I was in West Elm and saw this beautiful linen duvet cover with Slate trim. I fell in love. We have had the same bedding for years. I am ready for something neutral and soothing. Both this duvet and this blanket/coverlet are organic and feel wonderful to the touch. I am thinking this would be my birthday wish! Gotta love slipping into new bedding for a great nights sleep.

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Don't you just want to dive on in!?

#2: World Market Wingback chairs
So I will have a post coming up next week about my dining room refresh, but I am really wishing for these gray wingback chairs for either end of the dining table. I think they would look fabulous and give that room a little pop. I might also have a little something up my sleeves to change them up a bit and make them shine. Stay tuned.

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#3: Office Desk & Chair
I was recently inspired by this office space designed by Shea McGee. I have been falling for this campaign desk from World Market for a while and I think it is time I make a move. I am currently working from the dining room table because my office desk just isn't big enough. I am hoping to sell my current desk/shelves and step on up in the world of desks.  Will keep you posted on the changes! I have already picked out paint and fabric. Can't wait to dive into this project after the dining room is complete.

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#4: Entryway Mirror
I have this mirror in my head for our entryway. Remember I recently changed out the hall tree for a simple antique dresser? Well I think this mirror would add a modern touch to the vintage piece. I am seriously kicking myself that I didn't pick up a "look alike" at HomeGoods a few weeks ago. What was I thinking? It was a bit larger than the Ballard Design one too. Such a bummer. Maybe it will magically appear at another store. I Wish! (note to self...grab the items next time, you can always take them back)

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#5: Bar stools
I am currently trying to stream line my furniture and decor items. I want to simplify life with items that I love and that can be timeless. I want to accumulate furniture that can adapt to any space we live in. I know there will always be a few exceptions, but overall I want pieces that will last the test of time. I found similar barstools at Marshalls the other day, but they only had one and I need three for our bar area. I like the look of the natural wood grains against the harsh metal base. I also like the fact that these stools can be pushed under the bar and out of the way. Our current stools have a back to them and seem to take up a bit of space in our eat-in area. So it is time for a change!

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So those are the items I am crushing on and wishing for. Whether they all come my way or not will be determined and hashed out with the Hubs! (Love you Dear!)

Do you keep a wish list of items you might like for your home? I love having goals and dreams whether they come true or not. I mean what would life be like without goals and dreams?

Tell me...what is currently on your wish list!

Have a marvelous Hump Day All! 

Picking Vanity Colors using {Small Wall}

While I was at Haven Conference I met Jenna from SAS Interiors. She is one talented blogger as well as interior designer/decorator. Jenna was able to come to the conference with the help of some fantastic sponsors. One sponsor that she was promoting was Small Wall. If you haven't used these before, then you will need some after I get done with this post! She was nice enough to give me a sample to try out!

How many times have you picked the wrong color for your room? Ummm.. I am right there with ya! These 12"x12" adhesive backed sample boards will really help with your color decisions. They are the perfect size where you can really sample the color and they have a sticky back that won't ruin your walls.

Here are the two samples that I am trying out for our Master Bath Vanity. You can see how I hung them right on the wall and the wood vanity. I could use these many more times without the adhesive wearing down.

Jenna told me you can paint over these samples and use them many times without having to get new ones.

This color is more true to the eye in the previous two pictures.

Aren't they great!? Now you don't have to have millions of paint samples on your walls. (You can thank me later...and your welcome!)

What color are you leaning toward for my vanity? Remember my inspiration picture HERE?

Any painting going on at your house?

Top 5 Design Mistakes {Number One}

While at the Haven Conference last weekend, I went to so many great sessions taught by fabulous bloggers that really know their stuff. One class that I enjoyed was taught by Emily, Kristen & Sarah. They talked about the 5 most common design mistakes that people make.

Over the next few weeks I am going to recap what they taught us and how you can use this information to help create a more inviting home for you and your family.

First up.... Number One: Too Much of a Good Thing

This refers to matchy matchy furniture. You all know the sets that come together like a large couch, love seat, ottoman and chair that are all the same color and fabric choice? Don't worry if you have this in your home because I was also to blame when I first got married. 

Don't get me wrong, some of these spaces are nice, but very boring! Our eyes just kind of stop at the dark matchy furniture. There isn't anything to excite us....no texture, color, variation of wood, etc.

I know that going into a big box store and picking out an already set up room is the easiest idea ever, however it isn't the best for making your house feel like a well designed home. If you are struggling with this design mistake at home...don't worry! There are so many people that do and that is why there are designers or friends to help a sista out.

I am going to show you a few ideas on how you can incorporate your matchy furniture, but change it up a bit. 

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This picture is a great example that you don't have to get rid of your matching furniture. Emily showed us this picture and I couldn't believe how adding different types of end tables and pillows can hide that matching furniture. In this picture they have matching leather love seats. By adding different texture end tables like the rustic wood coffee table, metal garden stool and high wooden end table your eyes can move from object to object and like what they see! Adding some textured pillows also makes a grand impact!

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How about keeping your existing matching furniture set in the bedroom, but add a little paint to the side tables? This would help the room stay cohesive, but also add interest with different tones of paint. Adding a bench with a graphic pattern at the end of the bed is also a fantastic idea which lends texture and interest.

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This bedroom says the opposite from the previous picture. Keep your existing end tables, dressers and even bed frame, but add some interest in a textured headboard. Staying with the same tones in the woods, but adding a fabric headboard does wonders in creating a well designed room. 

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This dining room is another great example of adding a few items to hide the matchy matchy furniture. You can see that the side dining chairs and table are matching, but adding different end chairs in different fabric really create some interest. Also adding the light drapes that contrast with the darker furniture really opens up this room and adds a brighter element.

How about all of you? Are you guilty of matchy matchy? Do you have some matching furniture that just needs a little tweak like the spaces above? 

If you are stuck in your design mistakes, email me some pictures of your room and let's create a more inviting place! eatsleepdecorate (at) gmail (dot) com

First three pictures found here, here & here.

Recovering from Haven Conference

Hi my beautiful friends! It has absolutely been a whirl wind of a few days and I am trying to catch up on some sleep and projects throughout this week. I enjoyed my time at the Haven Conference this past weekend. It was motivating, inspiring and just plain amazing! I met so many wonderful, down to earth bloggers. It was so neat to see hundreds of people with the same interest inspiring one another.

It was located at the gorgeous Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, Atlanta. The service was amazing and the food was an A+ in my book!

When I was finished with my conference late Saturday night, I came home and told my husband that I was a little depressed! I don't know if any of you have ever gone away to summer camp, but it was exactly like that. It was so exciting and so fun connecting with lots of friends that I didn't want to leave. 

Postcards from the ridge, Storywood Designs, me & Living Rich on Less

The Jean Jacket Posse

Can I tell you how amazing Jen@Iheartorganizing is? She taught a class on organizing and is one talented lady and not to mention the sweetest! If you aren't following her blog...well shame on you!

Emily from Emily A. Clark was the first blog that I ever started to follow. She is seriously the sweetest southern lady ever! It was so amazing to finally meet her in person. I feel as though we have been friends for a lifetime.

Do you know this face? Some of you may if you follow Young House Love's blog! This is Sherry and she is exactly the same in person as she is on her blog! Full of energy, humor and a real genuine person. 

I also met up with a few other of my favorites like Cassie, Courtney & Holly! Make sure you stop on over and say hello!

I will be posting some recaps of last week here on the blog. I learned so much and really want to share it with all of my fabulous readers! We will talk about some great sponsors and vendors that I met, some organizing tips as well as top decorating no no's! 

Have a Marvelous Monday All!

Business Cards- NEED YOUR VOTE!!

Hello my lovely friends! It has been quite a while hasn't it? Well I have been out of town for 2 1/2 weeks visiting family and friends up in Western NY. It was a much needed vacation. We still worked some, but the view wasn't so bad...

We celebrated our 8 year anniversary last week...

I had a nice visit with my grandpa....

And I got to spend some time with my college roommates and their families...

It was such a wonderful time, but I am very glad to be back home with all of you!...and this crazy girl.

But now...back to business. Today I am talking about my business cards! I am headed to the Haven Conference in just a couple of weeks and wanted to make sure that I have some new classy cards to accompany me.
I decided to go with non-traditional square calling cards. Aren't they adorable? My sweet friend Pam from Pixel Impress designed these for me. She has been amazing to work with!

Here is where your VOTE comes in! I am stuck deciding on a front and a back to this lovely card. The cards are numbered. 1-3 for the front and 4-5 for the back. Let me know which front and which back are your favorite!! I am torn between a couple of options and I know you all won't disappoint me with your opinions!

Can't wait for a fun filled week back with all of you. We are finally finished with our 4th flip house, so you will get a glimpse of some before and afters. I have also finished a few DIY's that I am dying to share with you.

Here's to a Marvelous Monday All!