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Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Our Haven Experience

August 5, 2013 by Bethany Sy

I just returned from a WILD 5-day weekend in Atlanta with my love. (please excuse the fact that these are ALL crappy iphone pics)…

Sawdust and Embryos

We DROVE there from Iowa to attend the Haven Blogging Conference with about 250 other amazing  like-minded DIY bloggers! It was only a 15-hour drive (one way).

haven {Sawdust and Embryos}

Here’s the thing about driving… when you’re USED to screaming children and chaos while driving, it’s actually a very pleasant experience to roadtrip IN PEACE! We enjoyed it… and it saved us about $1,400 in plane tickets.

And this hotel (Buckhead Grand Hyatt)… UGH it was gorgeous.

haven1

When we arrived at Haven, it was so exhilarating! Hundreds of bloggers who live the same crazy life we do. It turns out you can be kindred spirits with a LOT of people.

Haven Conference {Sawdust and Embryos}

My inseparable group of BFF’s! There was NO personal bubble with these girls!

iphone 051

Lindsey (Better After), Brooke (All Things Thrifty) and Kristen (Capturing Joy)

Nick and I split up and took separate classes so we could glean as much knowledge as possible! Here I am in my ‘Advanced Painting’ class (taught by Miss Mustard Seed) with my girl Cindy from Daisies and Crazies!

haven2

Nick drew a lot of attention being one of three males among a sea of estrogen. It also didn’t hurt that he’s 6’8”. We loved building relationships with the other couples there.

Sawdust and Embryos with Ana White

(us with Ana White and her ‘Real Alaska Man’ hubs!) ^^

Sawdust & Embryos with Kristen Duke Photography

(us with Michael and Kristen Duke) ^^

And I got to meet and hang with my blogging-crush-slash-long-lost-sister Kenz (from Interiors by Kenz). She’s absolutely darling with her baby-bump.

Sawdust and Embryos & Interiors by Kenz

We also got to dine with Sherry from Young House Love… but didn’t get a picture because I’m sure she’s SO tired of people wanting a pic with her. Guess you’ll just have to take my word.

Let’s just say it’s been a LONG time since I’ve gotten out and had a good time with friends… and it felt AMAZING. These girls are wild!

iphone 056

I’m already starting to calculate the days will I get to see them next! WHAT A FREAKING BLAST!!!!!

FacebookPinterestEmailRSSEmailBethany {Sawdust and Embryos}

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

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Comments

  1. 30

    ForRent.com says

    August 16, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Hey Beth & Nick! So happy you made it to the Haven Conference. You guys are troopers for driving 15-hours one way! Homes.com & ForRent.com enjoyed having attendees such as yourself join us. 🙂 Be sure to take a look at all the photos from the event on Facebook, tag yourself & share with family/friends! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151783562125943.1073741827.38844010942&type;=3 Hope to chat with both of you soon!

    Reply
  2. 31

    Carolina Täschler says

    August 15, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    WOW! That is all I can say. I only wish we had something like this where I live. Believe me, it is not easy to find the right pieces or materials, but I'm hanging on.
    Love your blog and I'm always passing by to check what's new and get some inspiration.
    Wish you all the best!

    Greets from Brazil, Carol

    Reply
  3. 32

    Dianne @ Winnow and Spruce says

    August 10, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    Really loved your post about Haven, as well as the rest of your blog. I'll be back often.. promise. 🙂

    Reply
  4. 33

    Lindsey Allen says

    August 10, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Had so much fun with you! I only wish you didn't live so far away so I could see you more than once a year!

    Reply
  5. 34

    Katie says

    August 8, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    It was so nice meeting you guys! Wish we could have hung out more–off to go check out that pergola we kept hearing about!

    Reply
  6. 35

    Capturing Joy says

    August 7, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    You guys rock, fun to read your recap, even more fun to hang out with you!

    Reply
  7. 36

    Debbie @ Happy Clippings says

    August 7, 2013 at 7:39 am

    Hi Beth – Haven was a blast! It was so nice to meet you and chat after the Organizing session (on Saturday).

    Reply
  8. 37

    Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    August 6, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    Beth- I can't believe I didn't meet you at Haven! Now I've just increased your time-on-page to hours since I've been reading everything… Thank you so much for sharing your infertility struggles, the more that's out there, the less scared I think others will be to talk about it.

    I have endometriosis, thought I wouldn't ever be able to have kids, and now, have 3 lovely ones. Although the 21 month old is in a trying age, I know you can relate:)

    Jessica

    Reply
  9. 38

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 6, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    HI Charlotte! We'll have to make a point to meet next time! It's always a bummer feeling like I didn't get to say hi to every single person! 🙂

    Reply
  10. 39

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 6, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    I'm a hugger too! Beware!

    Reply
  11. 40

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 6, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    absolutely! PLAN ON IT!

    Reply
  12. 41

    Stephanie, Sandpaper and Glue says

    August 6, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    so jealous! I refuse to miss out again next year, and have already called dibs on Kenz as my roomie. please beware that I will hug you as if you are a long lost friend if you are there too… I promise it's a compliment and not at all creepy. 🙂

    Reply
  13. 42

    Mindy Schaper says

    August 6, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    Looks like a blast. I read your blogs almost every day, funny to see you in the same pic. Also funny that there were only three men there. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall.

    Reply
  14. 43

    christina @ homemadeocean says

    August 6, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    Ahhhhhh SO. MUCH. FUN.

    So glad I got to meet you both! Next year pick me up on the way through St. Louis 🙂

    Reply
  15. 44

    LaurenMarie says

    August 6, 2013 at 5:00 am

    What a neat trip! I bet it was sure different not riding in a car with you little ones 😉 Atlanta is a great city and I enjoyed clicking on the links to the different bloggers you saw at the conference.

    Reply
  16. 45

    Charlotte Smith says

    August 5, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    I'm so with you that all of a sudden a 15 hour drive doesn't seem so awful when it's peace and quiet! I noticed you guys in one of the last sessions (I think Growing a Creative Business) and am sorry I didn't introduce myself! Excited for more pals next year!! xx
    Charlotte @ Ciburbanity

    Reply
  17. 46

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 5, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    Cindy you were a BLAST!!

    Reply
  18. 47

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 5, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    Wish you could have been there!

    Reply
  19. 48

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 5, 2013 at 7:50 pm

    OH MY! That's even MORE of a height difference! I'm 5'7", but people always think I'm short because Nick is SO MUCH taller than me. 🙂 13 inches to be exact!

    Reply
  20. 49

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 5, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    I know Chris! We'll have to make a point to have a real conversation next time!! :0 Will you be at Snap??

    Reply
  21. 50

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 5, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    Kenz! Maybe we can get a commercial airline to sponsor our blogging friendship. 🙂

    Reply
  22. 51

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    August 5, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    It was great to meet you guys too! Married bloggers unite!

    Reply
  23. 52

    Cindy @ Daisies & Crazies says

    August 5, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    Bethany, I was so happy to meet and paint with my Iowa girl in person! I kinda used tall Nick as an antenna in order to find you guys in the crowd. Tall is helpful! 😉

    xo

    Reply
  24. 53

    Jacque n Matt Knowlton says

    August 5, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    It was great to meet you both of you at Haven! Hope to cross paths again soon! -Matt

    Reply
  25. 54

    Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz says

    August 5, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    If you were the only person I would have gotten to meeting in real life at Haven, the trip still would have been a success for me. It was SO great! Definitely long lost sisters. Now, let's find a way to bridge the gap between Utah and Iowa!

    Reply
  26. 55

    Erin Spain says

    August 5, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    Great recap! So sorry I didn't get to meet you! Hope we can connect next year.

    -Erin @ DIY on the Cheap

    Reply
  27. 56

    Chris says

    August 5, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    What a great round-up! I love seeing how other people spent their time, and it looks like you made the best of it! Thank you SO much for coming! Next year, we need to exchange more than 15 words. 🙂

    Reply
  28. 57

    artgirl says

    August 5, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    You two remind me of my mom and dad..she is 5'4" and he was 6'8". All of us kids are 5'10" or taller..ha! I'm excited to see what great projects your travels inspire!!

    Reply
  29. 58

    LittleMyoo says

    August 5, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    Okay, after all this time I seriously had no idea Nick was THAT MUCH TALLER THAN YOU!!! You guys are simply adorable. 🙂

    -andi

    Reply
  30. 59

    Nine Red says

    August 5, 2013 at 11:55 am

    Oh wow! Looks like you guys had SO much fun! So happy for you guys that you got to go 😀

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Haven Conference Recap 2015 - Sawdust and Embryos says:
    August 7, 2015 at 7:00 am

    […] PS! To read about our experiences from previous years at Haven click here! –> 2014 and 2013. […]

    Reply
  2. China Cabinet Transformation! {Guestpost by Sawdust and Embryos} says:
    February 14, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    […] and Embryos! I’ll have you know that Brooke and I fiiiiiinally met in person a few weeks ago at Haven (despite being BFF’s for many moons… I mean […]

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
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