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Remember That Time I Wrote My Entire Haven Recap in Haiku?

My Haven Conference Recap {entirely written in haiku}...because why not?  Let me entertain you, as I share about my "sophomore summer" at Haven in Hotlanta!

I love poetry–
how it gives freedom in form.
So, here’s my wild plan:

I’ll write in haiku
{syllables five – seven – five,
rarely any rhymes}

to recap my trip
to Haven Blog Conference
three short weeks ago.

‘Twill be a challenge,
no doubt. I’m a wordy gal;
be sure to keep count!

Flashback

This story begins
in August 20-13.
‘Twas my first Haven.

I was like a pig
wallering around in mud,
soaking it all up:

The sessions wowed me;
inspiration out my ears!
And that’s not all, folks.

I had found my peeps
(fellow bloggers just like me).
Instant friendships forged.

Ladies Night!
Last year at Haven 2013

Anticipation

I vowed to return
for Haven 20-14.
Got my ticket, too!

The countdown began
on Instagram this past June:
a photo-a-day.

(I only skipped one!)
Sorry for clogging your feeds
with my black-and-whites!

Instagram Photo-a-Day Challenge
Let’s follow each other on Instagram!

Time to add some swag
to my biz cards from last year:
temporary tats!

DIY Temporary Tattoos! Such a fun addition to business cards, especially for crafters and DIYers. Tutorial includes FREE cut files!
{You’ve seen these before….}

The Journey

So, I packed my bags,
and hit the road with Keri!
We chatted all day.

CoCo joined us, too,
caravanning behind us.
No speeding tix here!

Road Trip Buddies!
Road Trip Buddies: Keri from Shaken Together and CoCo from The Crowned Goat

The Arrival

Once in Hot-lanta
our excitement was mounting
and so were the nerves!

The hotel lobby
was Grand Central Terminal:
bloggers everywhere.

The squealing commenced
and continued all weekend
(I’m guilty as charged).

Check-In for Haven 2014!
CoCo looking sweet as ever in the mega-long check-in line.

My Roommate

You all know Candace?
(From Rusted Roots, formerly
Vintage News Junkie.)

Welp, she and I roomed,
(we met at Haven last year).
And listen to this:

She gave me a gift
straight from the heart. A caddy
with blue mason jar!

My Mason Jar and Caddy made by Candace from Rusted Roots!
Click HERE for Candace’s DIY Mason Jar Caddy Tutorial

(She knows me so well.)
A junker’s survival kit
was my gift to her!

The Junker's Survival Kit!  All of the necessities for a fun "junking" expedition - - everything from hydration and sustenance to flashlights and gloves for finding those "buried" treasures at the flea market!

And here we both are
with our matchy-matchy jars,
smiling up a storm.

Roomies!

The Sessions

I typed tons of notes
(yes, I’m totally THAT girl).
My favorite of all:

Allison‘s session,
called “The Business of Blogging.”
Oh so practical!

From how to trademark
to getting an E.I.N.
(might make your head spin)….

Broken down in steps,
she gave us the tools we need
to build our business!

Allison from Refunk My Junk & Candace from Rusted Roots at Haven 2014
Allison from Rufunk My Junk & Candace from Rusted Roots

The Brands

In between sessions
I visited with the brands
at their rockin’ booths!

From Modern Masters
to 3M, from Home Depot
to Rust-Oleum.

FrogTape and Moen,
Annie Sloan and G.M.C.,
HomeRight was there, too!

The many brands at Haven 2014

And prizes galore!
I won a pillow thanks to
Online Fabric Store!

Pillow-Fight at the Online Fabric Store Booth!
Pillow-Fight at the Online Fabric Store booth with Emily!

The Swag

I still can’t believe
how much swag they gave away!
This pic gives a glimpse.

The plethora of SWAG from Haven 2014!

(It’s just missing the
Waterpik shower head Mark
already installed!)

Waterpik photo op!
Waterpik Shenanigans with Abby from Just a Girl & Her Blog

The Biz Cards

We all swapped biz cards
like kids trading baseball cards
but with blog all-stars!

My Haven 2014 Biz Card Collection

And here were some faves
that broke the mold or stood out!
Unique designs, no?

My Haven 2014 Biz Card Collection

I gotta give props
to the three gals who boldly
rocked my temp. tattoos!

Tattoos in Action!
DIY Temporary Tattoos worn by Katie from Shaw Floors, Emily from Two Purple Couches, and Kadie from Seven Alive

The Best Part

{Cue sappy music.}
The best part of all–no doubt,
no bones about it–

was seeing old friends
and making new ones, to boot!
I loved every hug,

every group photo,
every elevator ride.
You wanna know why?

For one long weekend
I got to be face-to-face
with these dear women

I interact with
screen-to-screen most every day.
They are my support,

my inspiration,
my tribe. I’m grateful to have
these gals in my life.

dfd
Meeting in Person for the First Time!  Kara from Happy Go Lucky, ChiWei from One Dog Woof, Tara from Suburble, Moi, Kirsten from Sweet Tea & Saving Grace, Kadie from Seven Alive
My Haven 2013 Gals!
My Haven 2013 Gals: Laura from The Turquoise Home, Melissa from The Happier Homemaker, Candace from Rusted Roots, Jamie from So Much Better With Age, Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof, Emily from Two Purple Couches
The Silhouette Challenge Rocks Haven!
20 of us from The Silhouette Challenge! (starting bottom L and snaking up): Michele, Melissa, Trisha, Moi, Jeanie, Emily, Abby, Jamie, Jenna, Emily, Candace, ChiWei, Dee, Kelly, Michelle, Sharon, Laura, Tara, Kim, Jessi
So many blogger buddies!  Haven 2014.
Top to bottom (L – R): Wendi, Melanie, Emily, Dee, Moi, Candace, Moi, Daune, Kelly, Moi, Guess who?  Katie, Christine, Moi, Corey, Brynne, Trisha

I did it!

Whoo hoo!  I did it!
Survived my first haiku post!
Hope you enjoyed this

poetic recap
of my weekend at Haven.
I’m not gonna lie:

that was not easy.
Wordy Lauren will be back
next week, no worries.

So, happy Friday,
dear reader. I hope it’s grand.
Cheers! Until next time….

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24 Comments

  1. Wonderful sum…ry
    Of your fabulous journey
    Pictures, Poetry!

    (I should have seen this before I used too many words to describe the Global Leadership Summit!)

  2. I loved the haiku..it was so creative and on target. I felt like I found my people too. Women that were creative, crafty, handy with tools and like to wear lipstick! I learned a lot and am looking forward to next year!

  3. Loved this recap lady! You’re always so creative and that inspires me every day! Thanks for making sure we got there safe and for all the memories along the way 🙂 Big hugs

  4. Amaze-balls. Love that you stuck to haiku the whole way through! English nerds forever!
    Haven was an incredible weekend. I still get majorly sad every Thurs, Fri and Sat that it’s over for a whole ‘nother year! There were so many wonderful memories made this year!

  5. Wowza! My hat’s off to you girl!! Woop woop! Love this post. I’m still shaking my head, you are talented!
    Hugs beautiful girl,
    J.

  6. You’re so fabulous
    I just can’t stand it at all
    How you rock my socks

    Haikus are so hard
    I’m not a poet, no ma’am
    But I did my best

    Because I love you
    Sweet Lauren, sweet unicorn
    You bless my heart lots!

    OK Now I’m done
    With this ridiculous beat
    Have a rockin’ day!

  7. I consider myself sufficiently ‘haikued’! 😉 LOVED it! It’s a great recap, and it was so great to see you again this year! Haven is truly like this big blogging sorority of sisters… maybe that’s why we all long for it to never end. It’s so great to spend time with people who ‘get’ you!! See ya next year!

  8. Mind blown! I think it would have taken me until next years haven to write this! It was so great meeting you at Haven! I wish we could have chatted a little more I was just so overwhelmed but so happy I went! Also thanks for showing my business card as one that stood out that means the world!

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