Hanging Out at Haven {2013}: Part 2

In case you missed Haven Recap, Part 1 – click here.

#5 Cottonelle. I was able to team up with my absolute favorite toilet paper brand ever! I seriously only buy Cottonelle and have for as long as I’ve been buying tp. So, when they asked me to be their ambassador at Haven, it was a no-brainer. Cottonelle has recently come out with a new packaging for their Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths, which together with their Cottonelle Toilet Paper, creates their Cottonelle Care Routine. It’s now very slick and chic for the bathroom.

So, let’s talk about bathroom habits for a minute. I know it can be an embarrassing topic, but let’s remember that there’s a computer screen between us and it won’t be so weird. OK? I am a new convert to the Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths, because as an American, the normal routine just included dry toilet paper right? But you know what? When I lived in Indonesia for two years {did ya know I lived there? I was a teacher. 🙂 } everyone there used wet wipes as well as dry. They thought it was so weird that the Americans only used dry products to clean our bums. I know, strange topic of discussion, but oddly enough, it came up. 🙂 It truly is more fresh and so clean if you use a wet cloth, too! {We use it for our babies, so why not us??}

So Cottonelle brought these cute Container Store trays for all of the Haven Mavens to create Cottonelle Care Routine caddies. We decorated them with paint, scrapbook paper, washi tape and fun shape overlays. I used some gold polka dot washi tape, and hexagon shaped paper over some scrapbook paper. I wanted to keep it simple and cute! I love how it turned out!

Through August 10, 2013, Cottonelle® is having a fun contest to create your own Cottonelle Care Routine caddy. You can make your own caddy and submit it to [email protected] to enter the contest. It doesn’t have to be the same one we used; you can use any caddy you want! We’re also using the hashtag #LetsTalkBums, so be sure to tag your caddy if you share on Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook! Here are the rules …

I’m already enjoying my new caddy and cleansing cloths  in my bathroom!

Thanks Cottonelle for partnering with me!

#6 Swag & Great Vendors. In addition to Cottonelle, we had loads of other great vendors and they handed out a ton of swag. I have never been the recipient of so much swag in my life. Take a look at all the loot I brought home with me! Fabric from OnlineFabricStore.net, Chevron painter’s tape from Frog Tape, Rip-Cut from Kreg Jig, and tons of other goodies you can see here.

Ballard Designs, one of my all time favorite brands had the whole ballroom set up like a large living room. Bloggers could relax and chat with other bloggers in their comfy furniture. So fun!

We even had great cocktail parties and a dinner thrown by some larger brands like Ryobi, Home Depot, Rustoleum, Homes.com and ForRent.com! This pic was taken after the Ryobi dinner and dance party … {thanks Jenna for the picture!}

Heather from Southern State of Mind, Me, Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof, and Jamie from Better with Age.

One particular sponsor that I was so excited to see was Southern Accents in Cullman, Alabama. They are not far from my home in North Alabama, and I actually drive within 5 minutes of the store when we go to the family lake house. And I’ve never been there?!? For shame! I must top by soon and I’ll be sure to take you along with me so you’ll feel like you were there too! But in the meantime, check out their cool vendor set up at Haven. {You can also go online and shop from their wares: old doors, barn wood, antique corbels, all things cool and vintage. They ship to anywhere in the US.}

Thanks so much to all of the sponsors!

#7 Inspiration. Definitely the best part of the whole weekend was the inspiration. From the friendships formed to the speakers – there was inspiration all around. The first session was from the beautiful and encouraging, Ana White. Yes, the wood-working guru, Ana White, the one whose plans I used to build my farmhouse table. I loved hearing her push all of us to just to serve our readers and write great content – not to focus on all of the technical details.

And then meeting all of my blogger friends. From their business cards to their famous projects we all know and love. I was surround by tons of inspiration. And as I go through the business cards of the bloggers I met, I am blown away by their talent and passion! Some of my favorites that I haven’t mentioned yet are: Jackie from Teal & Lime, Julia & Elizabeth from Southern Color, Nikki from Deepest Ocean Blue, Lindsay from Life of Splendor, Jena from Involving Color, Debbie from Happy Clippings, Emily from Two Purple Couches, Angie from Postcards from the Ridge, Danielle from Finding Silver Pennies, and Heather from Setting for Four … just to name a few!!

The final speaker was Bob Johnson from Habitat for Humanity, who evoked some serious emotion from us all with his closing speech. {He worked in Tuscaloosa after the April 2011 tornadoes that ripped through Alabama, so I was quickly endeared to him. That tornado came near my neighborhood and we were without power for almost a week.} Mr. Johnson shared how DIY bloggers are special because we are in the business of redemption: taking something old and making it new again. And with our talents and our community, we can Do Good On A Grand Scale. Loved it! Reminded me a little of my Project Simplify and how I need to continue to help others.

So, thank you fellow bloggers, the Haven Team and speakers. You were truly inspiring. I hope that The Turquoise Home will continue be a space of inspiration to take what is old, plain or ugly and make it beautiful – bringing hope and restoration to our homes.

I’m so glad I went!

And this might be the longest post ever! Ha!!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Cottonelle on behalf of the “Talk it Out” program. All opinions are 100% mine.