You ready for a post full of embarrassing photos (of me and Katie B) and adorable photos (of Clara and Will) with a few house crashing and shopping-on-the-road sneak peeks mixed in? Oh yeah. Let’s do this.
The crazy thing is that even though this little recap of our four days spent in Atlanta has over 40 photos in it, it’s just the tip of the iceberg road trip, so we’ll be back with a few detailed House Crashing posts, a nice juicy window-shopping post from on the road, and a thrift store video that Katie and I cobbled together all in one take (yes, someone comes up to chat with us right in the middle of it). Just gotta go through our 1000+ photos and make sense of everything. So there’s that to look forward to. But for now let’s focus on trying to encapsulate the amazing/embarrassing/inspiring/delicious/nerve-wracking lovefest that was Haven. We had a blast. And to the people who organized it… I can’t even imagine how much work went into it. It was so much fun to just show up and wander around with tons of fellow DIY and blog-lovers.
Pic above from Rhoda.
We were asked about a year ago to be the keynote speakers and we agreed before we could get too nervous and second guess ourselves. Then we had a whole year to think about how not to make a fool of ourselves. Did it work? Of course not. Somehow I worked the word fart into at least five sentences. You had to be there. Seriously, who has a video of that, because no amount of explaining will do that justice. But amazingly, we heard some very kind words from the organizers, sponsors, and attendees when it was all over. So I’m calling it a success. If you’re consumed with curiousity about how the word fart slipped in there, you can check out a pretty detailed rundown of our chat here.
Pic above from Sarah.
Did we know we would be speaking to a room of hundreds of people? Nope. But we tried not to think about it or say the word fart (only 50% of that plan worked out). We had put together a little slide show about the 11 mostly-subconscious “decisions” that had steered the course of our blog, so we basically just got up there and talked about everything that we think got us to where we are today – from deciding how often to post to how we accidentally became a business. And every time I looked out at the crowd expecting someone to be yawning or texting I was greeted with a smile. Seriously, we felt the love in that room and it was awesome. I think it’s why John and I felt so comfortable and a little fart or two slipped out. Wait, that sounded wrong. Of my mouth. A mouth fart. This isn’t getting better.
I totally could not have done this without John. It was actually kind of fun to go up there with him because we could just be dorks together and sort of chat and keep each other feeling comfortable. And apparently from certain angles I enjoyed hiding behind him.
Pic above from Debbie.
I definitely did that thing where I locked eyes on a few people throughout the entire chat and sort of smiled at them/creeped them out. So thanks to you guys, for not crying or getting up and leaving when I gave you my crazy too-long gaze.
Pic above from Rhoda.
And as you probably saw over on Katie’s blog, she hung out with my bean and her tinkler up in our hotel room while we got our chat on. Are they not the cutest couple ever? Not that I’m biased.
Pic above from Katie.
Then we all came downstairs and mingled. Weird things like this scene from an eight grade dance ensued (that’s Dusty from All Things G & D, my new real-life friend – she’s hilarious and amazing and Katie and I just let it all hang out with her).
Pic above from Katie.
There were really awesome and inspiring sessions, like one from Builder/Temptress Ana White (she was so nice in person, I couldn’t stop giggling around her). Let me just tell you, that girl knows her way around a drill and a pair of stilettos. Consider me impressed (and substantially less coordinated). We also checked out Layla and Kevin’s photography/styling session and I learned a ton.
Pic above from Katie.
We also got to meet people that we feel like we’ve known forever- like the lovely and super sweet Kate from Centsational Girl.
Pic above from Katie.
The guys (John and Katie’s husband Jeremy) took off with the kiddos so we could attend those sessions, just because two crazy toddlers and an eight pound chihuahua (yes Burger came with us too) weren’t exactly easy to wrangle in the crowds. And something happened to me and Katie when the kiddos and spouses left. It started feeling like ladies night out. Which explains that picture of us gyrating against Dusty two photos up.
There was a pretty sweet cocktail hour at the end of the day, complete with shrimp, brie, and those little triangular pastries that taste like croissants. Good times. This is when I got to meet a ton of people and just chatted and hung out and laughed and my mouth hurt at the end from smiling.
Pic above from Katie.
Now I’ll admit something to the internet that I didn’t think I was going to: I worried people would be haughty. Or standoffish. Or sort of like Mean Girls but grown up. I don’t know, I’m a nerd, so I just went into it worrying people would be clique-y and closed off. SO NOT THE CASE. I don’t know what I thought conferences were like, but this was nothing but eating, drinking, and being merry.
Pic above from Katie.
And at the end of the night, we somehow ended up shutting down a restaurant with four other awesome Haven chicks that had us at wanna-go-to-dinner-together? (Dusty from All Things G&D, Beth from Unskinny Boppy, Kent of Peachy Keen Designs, and Colleen from The Restarter Home). Apparently the place closed at 9 but the waiter didn’t even tell us until after 11.
Pic above from Katie.
Can I just tell you the last time I shut down a restaurant. Never. And after a little dancing outside of the hotel to Low by Flo Rida (yes, $herdog was in the hizouse) we somehow found ourselves in another teenage pose. This time, of the prom variety. I like how we’re all holding each other and Katie’s holding her baby.
Pic above from Katie.
As for what our children were doing while we were being completely responsible and not at all embarrassing parents, John kept me posted by sending little iPhone pics like this:
And then the next day Katie ended up taking us all to a really fun public pool with all sorts of suped up stuff (lazy river? check. water slides? check). It was awesome. And it was fun to spend time with the kiddos/family after a day of “business and lady-bonding” at Haven.
I missed mah man the day before, so it was nice to be reunited. Oh yes, cheesy but true. I guess when you work together all the time, you notice when your other half is gone. Thank goodness I had Katie B as my wifey-for-the-day at Haven.
Speaking of Katie… dude, the girl has a waterproof case for her Flip camera. Consider me amazed. Apparently amazed enough to add a caption to this picture in third person. Totally normal, right?
Yup, we all recorded ourselves going down the water slides. Except I was wearing shorts (yes, I have a fear of standing up with a giant swimsuit wedgie after many childhood experiences on water slides) so I went about one mile an hour down the slide thanks to my not-slippery-like-a-bathing-suit shorts. It was hilarious. I think people might have thought I was stuck at one point.
These next three photos are Katie’s but they help demonstrate a few key things. For example, this one’s the best we could do with our kids in our lap. In other words: our kids be wiggly.
And this photo is to hopefully squash pregnancy rumors (I’m talking to you, Mom). They tend to start when I’m blocking my belly with something, like plywood or a kid (see above). I’m not gonna lie though – I’m totally sucking it in. Not an imaginary baby, just a leftover-from-Clara roll or two.
See, I told you I was the cool kid at the pool rocking jean shorts to block water slide wedgies.
This photo is just to demonstrate how ruggedly athletic I am. Never mind that I’m not actually swimming and am just resting my belly on the bottom of the shallow end of the pool.
To keep the water theme going, Beansie had the best time down at the creek behind the Bower’s house with Will. He was a little explorer and she followed behind him dutifully.
The next day we hit up Zoo Atlanta. It was the best. I feel like I’m saying everything was the best, but it was a series of fun days, so bear with me. Or lion with me. Hmm, that was a smoother pun in my head.
I love this picture. So I’m fighting my instincts to make an even more terrible pun like “my daughter likes to monkey around.”
Oh and we went on the train at the zoo, which was easily Clara’s favorite part- except for the “scary, scary tunnel.” She made it through like a champ though. I think it helped to know she had her man behind her to defend her.
Then it was carousel time. Clara liked it, but I loved it. Nearly all the photos are of me with my mouth open too wide. What can I say? Too Excited is my middle name.
The next day it was Georgia Aquarium time. The whales? Awesome. I have no words. Except awesome apparently.
It’s a really interactive place, so Clara had fun climbing into little nooks and bubbles to peer at all of the cool fish swimming around her.
She especially liked spying on the penguins.
And peering up at the fish as they swam by overhead in the underwater tube where you could see creatures of all shapes and sizes on all sides.
But her favorite specimen was still Will. Here she is inching over…
She’s a close talker, just like her mom.
Oh my gosh, and this is my favorite room there: the giant tank with all the whale sharks. I think we stayed in there for a good half-hour, just staring.
Oh and I guess the whole Clara-liked-all-the-nooks-and-bubbles-she-could-climb-into was a like-mother-like-daughter thing. Because this series of embarrassing photos was shot in plain sight of anyone walking by at the time. First there’s me growling and trying to do some kind of water aerobics by incorporating a sexy side lunge:
But then I inexplicably switched gears, stopped growling and made a completely nondescript face, and added jazz hands.
We thought it was pretty funny to see a Home Depot logo in the middle of the aquarium, so you know we all posed like the big DIY dorks that we are. Except for sweet Jeremy, who was happy to take the picture, wrangle Will, and pretend he didn’t know us. Haha.
Check out the hair situation I have going on here. A giant chunk of hair shooting over my sunglasses like a wave = a sure sign of a good time.
Of course it wasn’t all fun and games bacon and Bower fun. We actually squeezed in more than a few house crashings. Woot! So here’s a little taste for ya from two houses that couldn’t have been more different (which is totally why we love house crashing – there are so many different rooms to snoop around, snap, and share):
Just know there’s more where that came from. Can’t wait to get those images organized and uploaded.
Oh and we did a little window shopping too, first at the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney, South Carolina…
… and then at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store right outside of Charlotte, NC. I actually got two yards of awesomeness, so I’ll have to share more shopping details whenever we can throw together a window-shopping rundown.
And we can’t forget our little trip to Goodwill to record another annual thrift store video for ya (like this one of yore).
So between the current DIY projects and updates, we’ll be sprinkling in some fun little ATL adventures over the next few weeks. Anyone else do anything fun this weekend? Any other Haven attendees with hilarious (slash highly embarrassing) photos to share? Any big road trips coming up for you guys? I gotta say, we dreaded 8.5 hours in the car each way with a toddler and a dog, but it wasn’t that bad!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Looks like such a blast! So bummed to have missed Haven, but I’d love to go next year!
Stephanie says
Looks like such a great time! :) Will and Clara are such cute BFF’s.
Just randomly saw your book on amazon, the cover is super cute!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much!!
xo,
s
patty says
new to your blog… i’m a fan of bower power and KB. what is house crashing?
YoungHouseLove says
Hi Patty! Welcome! If you click the link in the first paragraph that says House Crashing it should hopefully explain it!
xo,
s
Jackie E. says
Ahh, I shop in the pottery barn outlet in gaffney too. Would have totally freaked out to see you shopping in there too.
Ali says
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Police_Teaneck_man_72_accused_of_threatening_neighbor_with_gun.html <— what are the chances of a story today involving New Jersey-ians and farts??
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahahahahahah- seriously, what are the odds?
xo,
s
Tracy says
Sher-dog, just wanted to say you look great! way to rock that swimsuit, girl!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Tracy!
xo,
s
Rachel says
Do you still sell any of your art prints, namely the one pictured (chihuahua Silhouette) in the slide on Miss Kopykat’s blog? I absolutely love that! We have two chihuahuas whom we love so so much :)
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry, we don’t have art prints for sale anymore (had to close down the shop when Clara came because it was too much to keep up with). Maybe try etsy for something similar?
xo,
s
Briel K. says
Sounds like you guys had a blast! You really know how to pack the fun into a short amount of time! :)
I was giggling over here when you said you had to post a photo to squash pregnancy rumors. It has crossed my mind whenever you seem to be hiding behind things. Keep on keepin’ it real!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I’m telling you, you’re not the only one! So many people at Haven said they thought they’d see a little bump going on since I seem to be hiding, but it’s never intentional! I guess I just stand behind/hold objects a lot. Hahahahah.
xo,
s
Sara says
This is probably one of my favorite posts! I love your guys sense of humor and fun spirits! Too funny. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!
Lauren says
Just love you guys. That is all.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, we love you right back. Seriously.
xo,
s
jessie says
It took this post for me to see that Bower is pregnant!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, so happy for her! After over a year of trying, I totally bawled when she told me!
xo,
s
Aubri says
Ahhhh!!! I honestly cannot tell you how much HAPPY this post gave me. I’m such a nerd. I honestly cannot wait for more video goodness of the Goodwill variety. You and Katie are my favorites. :-)
So glad you had a good time on your trip!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Aubri!
xo,
s
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
You guys are awesome. I wish one day I could just run into you all and hang out. Hope you guys come to California for the book tour or for anything! :) And I think Will and Clara would probably have their own blog when they grow up and go to prom together and get marry! Just to follow both mommy and daddy’s footsteps! :)
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll definitely be in CA for the tour! Would love to bump into you!
xo,
s
Kari says
Sherry, have you been working out? You look great!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kari! I think I’m just like my mom and it takes us a while to snap back to normal after a baby (14 months of breastfeeding seemed to make me hold onto lots of puffiness that finally died down about 6 months later).
xo,
s
bree says
my friend introduced me to your blog and bower power. i love reading both! can you do me a favor and convince bower power to change the way they share photos. i can’t read her blog at work, but i can read y’alls.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! I’m not sure how she does photos but maybe she’ll change things if she can (sometimes it’s incredibly hard to change things since thousands of them are stored somewhere already).
xo,
s
anna see says
Wow Wow Wow! Looked exhausting and fun!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, it really was fun. Would have loved to meet you there Anna See! Maybe next time!
xo,
s
Jackie K. says
Do you remember the name of the little water park you guys went to with the Bowers? We just moved to that area and it looks like a place my kiddos would love!
YoungHouseLove says
It was some sort of county pool. Wish I knew the name. Here’s hoping Katie drops in with that info!
xo,
s
Miss Kitty says
Hi Sherry and John! After hearing how much time you spend replying to comments everyday, I hesitate to send this and add to your work load but just wanted to thank you so much for mentioning my blog post about your keynote talk. I enjoyed your talk so very much at Haven…wish everyone could have heard it. I tried to be as accurate as possible in recounting what y’all talked about but let me know if I need to change anything.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much! You’re so sweet to write that all up! You did an amazing job! Must have been scribbling notes in hyperdrive!
xo,
s
Brandy says
Sherry, I’m so glad you decided to let your “freak flag fly” (love the blog post you linked to describing your presentation). And it reminded of a music group called Here Come the Mummies that I saw at a music festival a couple of weeks ago. They have a song called “Freak Flag” haha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwkKznklRsM
That’s the best link I could find to a decent video. Very entertaing. Anyway, thought you would enjoy a laugh. I can’t wait to see more posts about ATL. I love it there so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- so funny! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo,
s
Michelle says
Um. I just have to say that my favorite part would also have been spying on the penguins. Clara has good taste in spying. :)
Christine Witt (Brush Dance) says
Looks like a GREAT time.
You have your pregnancy rumors and I have my wedding rumors. Everytime my man and I go to Las Vegas (it’s close and we love it there), his mom thinks we’re going to elope!
Nichole says
I wasn’t at Haven but it looks like a blast! Any chance your book tour will bring you to the Pacific Northwest? Say, Eastern Washington? I promise it’s not desert-like here :) and I pre-ordered your book yesterday. Yay!
Nichole says
Shoot – just read that your publisher decides where the book tour goes. Where should I campaign for an E. WA stop?!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve heard chatter than the Seattle and Portland areas might end up on the tour, so that’s close… right?
-John
Nichole says
Might be close enough! Seattle is 4.5 hours away and Portland is 7. Road trip!
YoungHouseLove says
Yay road trip!
xo,
s
Jessica says
I am so looking forward to a Will-and-Clara’s wedding post. ;) They are the cutest.
Ginny @ goofymonkeys says
Looks like you guys had a great time! We don’t have any road trips planned, but we took one back in May (7.5 hrs each way with 2 kids). It wasn’t bad at all, just tiring. I love trips, but I’m always glad to be back home.
Heidi P. says
:D I laughed through this whole entire post!! Oh man I’d love to go to one of those someday! I keep debating whether I want to make my blog bigger or just keep it a family-style blog. Posts like this make it *really* tempting to go bigger!
Speaking of bigger (in a good way haha) – how exciting that Katie’s pregnant! She’s so cute pregnant!
Stacy says
The picture with jazz hands and a non-descript was hilarious! I don’t even know how you pulled that combination off, but it made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the chuckle!
Stacy says
…non-descript “face”..
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- thanks Stacy. Made me laugh when I saw it too. What was I doing?
xo,
s
jennT says
whoa! looks like so much fun and really makes me miss the stateside awesomeness!!–the land of SHOPportunity! :)
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
It was so nice meeting and chatting with you at Haven! I posted my first vlog today where I talk about meeting you, and how in my head I spazzed out like a 12 year old meeting Justin Bieber. So glad to read that you guys had an awesome time at Haven and in Atlanta! –Chelsea aka the Megan doppelgänger
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahhhha, just laughed my Megan-loving arse off. Loved that. Thanks for sending the link and so good to meet you! Best friendship shall now commence. It’s on.
xo
s
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
Farts…LOL…I’m so immature that when you made that “You smell like a fart” comment comment I would definitely have been the one who belted out the inappropriately loud and lasted far too long laugh somewhere in the crowd. I grew up with all brothers so what can I say? I blame it on them. While waiting for your Haven post, I caught up on a whole slew of other ladies (and a few dudes) Haven recaps here and there and everyone was unanimous about you guys…that you are simply great…and smell like farts.
My best, Lynn
;o) WHAAAAT?? I HAD TO DO IT!
YoungHouseLove says
Dozens of bloggers can’t be wrong, can they? I mean mostly about the fart thing.
-John
Christine says
Wow, Katie’s pregnant? That’s awesome! Sherry looked very pretty up on state.
Leanne says
The picture of John and Clara underneath the overhead tube is frame worthy!!
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
You guys totally rocked it at Haven. Loved your keynote address. And it was great to meet you in person and chat a bit, Sherry! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Lovely meeting you too Julia – so glad we connected!
xo,
s
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Wish I could have been there! Looks like you guys had a nice time at Haven and having fun elsewhere!
Steph says
Um, I’m not sure how anyone could look at you and see an imaginary baby or anything, you look amazing, Sherry!! I absolutely love that bathing suit, it suits you well too!
Can you and the Bowers all just move in a big house together or something? You’re all so cute together! I mean or at least be neighbors or something, I don’t think I’m asking too much, really ;)
Heather W. says
Love the post and can’t wait to hear and see more about your trip. I have a random question though. When you said you bought 2 yards of awesomeness from the fabric store how do you know how much to buy? I have just begun to purchase fabric to make curtains I love but when you see fabric you covet do you only buy it if you know what you are going to do with it or do you have a project in mind to begin with. I see fabric I love and I never know how much I should buy etc. Hope this makes since. Can’t wait to see your post about this. Thx!
YoungHouseLove says
I just totally guessed. I knew that could make a few roman blinds if I wanted to do that or could be used to make pillows or other small-ish things (curtains are always three yards but you need so many of them in a room that it usually takes a ton of fabric). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jen@The Decor Scene says
WOW looks like everyone had an awesome time. I wish I could have come to this one. Would have been great to meet so many awesome bloggers. I have been looking at other blogs today also and everyone really looks like they had a great time. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip!!! :)
Anne says
Aw, it looks like you all had a great time! Atlanta looks like fun to visit. I wonder if Tyler Perry allows tours of his studios (that was random…but tell me you guys have seen Madea Goes to Jail!!) Totally not surprised that you were asked to headline the first ever Haven. And two things: 1) your jean sorts looked like a cool retro/50s-inspired swimsuit. Very cute. 2) Flashcard art!!! Whoa! That makes me wonder what else like that could be turned into art. Fun post. Thanks! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, haven’t seen Medea Goes To Jail but now I’ll have to put it on the list! Glad you liked the post- you’re so sweet!
xo,
s
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
I just thought of something! You guys could blog crash and give some of us small timers some pointers…as long as it isn’t “your blog smells like fart” lol…have a nice evening!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be fun! Except my advice would be “good job I love everything!” – haha. I wish I had more secrets of blogdom, but we really say just focus on content, be yourself, have fun so other people can “feel” that vibe and nothing is forced, and just do it forever. Haha. Maybe five years down the road you’ll be right where we are! I think a lot of it was just love of blogging + time for us.
xo,
s
Alex says
just read katie bowers post – those clara-will photos are so cute! in the 2nd bath photo, clara’s big smile makes her look SO much like you, Sherry, and in the last bath pic her expression makes her look like john haha. Keepers!
Emily says
Love your blog! Can you please tell me where the white mirror is from on the house crash pic? I’ve been looking for a large mirror for the wall above the couch forever and I just love that one. Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
I’m not sure yet, but once I write up that post I hope I’ll know (or the homeowner can drop in with that info). I think Ballard Designs sells something similar if that helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
I’m moving to Charlotte soon! Maybe in a few years you can house-crash me. The house we bought in Charlotte has stained vinyl floors and red carpets that I have to get out before it’s crash-worthy, but for the low low price we paid for it, it’s totally worth the work. We will be using so many of your DIY tips to save money on the re-do’s as we have some walls to knock down to make a bigger closet, floors to put in/replace, and plenty of painting!!
Jacqueline says
Awesome! Looks so fun!
If you WERE pregnant Sherry, surely you’d be holding you’re belly in every photo like Katie B does! ;-P
Emmie says
Looks like you had a wonderful time at the conference and in Atlanta! Clara and Will are so adorable together! I also am very excited for the house crashing posts!
I also wanted to let you know that you inspired a DIY ceiling light project I did recently. You’ve actually inspired me a lot, from painting my living room an awesome teal color to starting my own blog. Keep up the great work!
Here’s the link to the ceiling light: http://blue11interiors.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-ceiling-light.html
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE that! So smart!
xo,
s
Tracy says
Such a funny post! I, for one, cannot wait to hear how you incorporated the word “fart” 5 times in your presentation. LOL!
Also, I love how $herdog is on her tippy-toes in the “prom” picture!!! : )
Leatitia says
Ahahah! Sherry, you’re so funny! You made me laugh out loud many times. Ahah… I’m glad you had a blast!
Melanie from Oz says
Seriously im only 3 photos down and already laughing out loud…. Mouth Fart! You guys crack me up, wishing I could have attended this awesome sounding ‘Haven’
Keep up the amazing work and I will continue to stalk you from Australia lol ;)
Virginia says
OMG Sherry. This post made me snort outloud about 5 times. You guys are ridiculous….in the best of ways. So enjoyed this magical lil’ post. Well, long post. Either way, I like it. I like it A.LOT. :) ~ Virginia
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks!
xo,
s
Lindsey says
OMG- I laughed out loud atleast twice while reading this post on my tablet on the work shuttle bus. I probably got a couple stares, but the mouth fart part was just too funny!!
Kendall Hoover says
Love this entire post but especially the pictures of your little girl “studying” Will. Found you via pinterest — keep writing!
http://www.greatproofreading.com
When your blog has attracted too many followers to pretend it’s okay because no one’s going to see it.
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Hey, John & Sherry, we were SO excited to have you at Haven & wow was your keynote the best. Everyone was on the edge of their seats & we couldn’t have asked for a better duo for that job. Loved meeting you both & you were exactly like I knew you would be, warm and personable. I wish I could have spent more time with both of you, but I had hosting duties. Ya’ll met lots of folks and looks like fun was had by all. That is exactly what we were hoping for. Y’all made Haven the success it was too! Come back to ATL anytime.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Rhoda! We had THE BEST time! And we’re so glad to hear that you liked our speech! We were nervous to get up there but all those smiling faces helped us out immensely! We could feel the love!
xo,
s