I’ll Be at Haven!

By Kate Riley April 20, 2017

Greetings all! I haven’t mentioned it here but I am today. I’ll be attending the Haven Conference in Atlanta in July this year, it’s been so long since I’ve been and I’m excited to return! This year I’ll be acting as a mentor and be present for all the sessions and for questions, so if you’d like to meet me there I’d love to meet you!!

The mentors are hosting a blog hop this week answering the following questions, today is my turn, so here goes:

1. How many years have you been blogging?

8 years, 3 months, 5 days with over 2,000 posts published in that time. :)

 

 

 

2. What is your favorite DIY project that you have completed?

How do you pick one favorite child? These are my four favorite creations, they earn the title because they’re the ones that when I look at them I’m proud of the result and truly appreciate them every day I use them.

 

criss cross planters / wood + white console / potting bench / laundry room drying rack

My DIY projects from the past are all organized here.

 

 

3. What is something useful you have learned from a blog conference?

“Define your own success… Everyone’s path in life, in blogging, and in business is different so carve your own path, define what “success” means to you and you alone, write it down, work hard to get there, and when you do, raise your glass.”

This truth and two epic conference fails documented here.

 

 

 

 

4. What is something you love about blogging and what is something you wish you could change?

I love that blogging gives me my own platform for sharing my ideas and my creativity. I enjoy the ability to write about design challenges or trends and I really love connecting with creative people from all over the world. A few years ago I shared the three biggest reasons why blogging about home matters.

There really isn’t anything I would change about the home and design community. I do find some of the faux realities portrayed online a little frustrating since I’m a believer in authenticity.

Blogging does have its challenges. I work alone and I have no team so I can’t churn out content like other blogs but I’m totally cool with that. I like that my blog is my own voice. Someday I may expand but for now I’m completely happy writing just three times a week.

I’m also not the biggest user of social media and I’m one to log off for days if necessary. I find it to be a lot of noise so if I’m going to contribute I want it to share something of value. Often I feel out of the loop by choosing absence but I feel healthier stepping away and I let myself be okay with missing all of what’s happening.

 

 

 

5. What is one piece of advice you would offer a blogger–new or otherwise–who is going to Haven?

First, relax. Sure you’re in a room full of strangers but just smile and chat with as many people as possible! It’s challenging if you’re introverted or uncomfortable around people you don’t know, but trust that everyone is kind and friendly and wants to get to you.

Also have a digital and paper copy of your blog information, a digital copy on your phone is helpful so sponsors or vendors to scan it to contact you in the future, and it’s good to have a stack of business cards to hand out to all the new friends you’ll be meeting.

 

 

 

Catch up with my fellow mentors on their blogs this week as they answer the same questions! Register for Haven right here.

Monday:   

Jennifer RizzoChaotically Creative 

Tuesday:

Life on Virginia StreetJust A GirlFrench Country CottageMaison de Pax 

Wednesday:

Thistlewood FarmsThe Handmade HomeBeneath My Heart That’s My Letter / Sweet Tea, LLC

Thursday: 

Mom4RealCedar Hill FarmhouseThe Lettered CottageShades of Blue Interiors

Friday:  

The Inspired RoomBeauty and BedlamThe Kim Six FixShabbyfufu

 

Today I’m walking around Copenhagen and I’ll share more of my trip to Scandinavia on Instagram. I’m skipping my regular weekend reading roundup since I’m on the go but look for a few more posts I have scheduled next week including another update on the One Room Challenge.  :)

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8 comments

  1. Hope to give you a squeeze girlfriend! I can’t believe after all these years I’ll actually get to ‘meet’ you :) xo – kb

  2. I would love to go to Haven but I haven’t bought my ticket yet. Is it too late? I’m also super nervous to go but also I really really want to go.

    What do you mean by “have you blog info digitally so sponsors can scan it?” Is that just referring to have a QR code on your phone? Total newbie here

    >> Christene
    Keys to Inspiration

    • Yep referring to the scannable code they have apps where you can input all your contact and blog info :)

  3. I’ve long admired your healthy attitude to blogging Kate. You do your own thing and have a distinct and confident voice in this online world. Great to hear you’re a mentor. You have lots of insight to share!

  4. Congrats on eight years of blogging, wish I had found you earlier to have read more posts! I love the white, DIY console table it looks very similar to one from West Elm.

  5. Hi Kate!
    Yours is the only blog I follow and I have transformed my daugher’s Ikea chest because of you! Always get compliments and cannot believe I did this on my own. Have a quick question; unable to click on your links the last few posts and wondering if anyone else is having same problem?
    Keep it coming Kate!!
    Cheryl in Fort Lauderdale

    • Having that problem with email subscriptions it’s so strange I’m looking into it !!

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