I have been super busy the last couple of weeks. We headed down to St. George for Spring Break over the beginning of April with my sisters and their families and my parents. We stayed in couple of condos and spent the weekend and the beginning of the following week playing in the sun, hiking and swimming. Then on Wednesday we drove home. We quickly unpacked, did laundry, did some shopping for my next trip and re-packed so that I could fly out to AZ the next day to attend Creative Estates {a conference for blogger and handmade shops}.
This post has a lot of pictures…so you have been forewarned! I will not be able to talk about everything we did or all the amazing women I met, but will just be able to highlight a few, but I thoroughly enjoyed every person I was able to meet and make a connection with. I was also not able to meet everyone and realized when I got home there were some women I had missed :(!
*photo courtesy of Jamie Lynn Photography
back row: Jen {Tatertots & Jell-O}, Lara {Less Cake, More Frosting}, Tauni {co-founder of CE and It’s a Tradition}
middle row: Char {Crap I’ve Made}, Becca {my roomie; Blue Cricket Design}, Me, Shelley {House of Smith’s}
bottom row: Kristyn {Lil’ Luna}, Steph {my other roomie; Somewhat Simple}, and Kendra {My Insanity}
We had a fun AZ Girls Night Out dinner on Friday the 8th at the Old Spaghetti Factory that was sponsored by many amazing shops and people. I was able to meet a lot of local people from Arizona and honestly had the best time. I sat at the most hilarious table and we did not stop laughing for several hours. My stomach muscles have never had such a great workout.
*photo courtesy of Jamie Lynn Photography
Kim {Today’s Creative} and I
Can I just tell you how much I love her? I have always loved her blog and she is JUST like how I imagined her to be! We really clicked and had some great conversations and some pretty funny ones too. LOVE her!
*photo courtesy of Jamie Lynn Photography
Jill from Modern Cupcake located in the Chandler and Gilbert, AZ area. Jill was so hilarious. We laughed until our sides hurt. She was so much fun and her cupcakes were FABULOUS! If you are in the area you should really consider using her cupcakes for your next event…just sayin’!! You can also find her here on Modern Cupcake FB page.
*photo courtesy of Jamie Lynn Photography
The Tall Girls! Me, Jen {Tatertots & Jell-O}, Kendra {My Insanity} and Megan {Brassy Apple}
That night I met Jamie Lynn from Jamie Lynn Photography located in Queen Creek, Arizona. She was the official photographer of the event and she took some fabulous pictures. If you are in the area and need a great photographer…she might just be your gal. She was so sweet and her photography is amazing…don’t you think? You can find her Photography site here and her FB page here.
The next day I spoke at the Conference with some pretty amazing women. It was a pretty humbling experience for me as these are women behind some of my very favorite blogs who I have admired and looked up to for a while now. We spoke on how we were able to plan and blog creatively while handling a busy schedule and life. We had some great questions from so many of the audience and I truly enjoyed the experience.
*photo courtesy of WhipperBerry
Me, Jen {Tatertots & Jell-O}, Cindy {Skip to My Lou} & Kim {Today’s Creative} (who is missing from this picture)
Stacy {Not Just A Housewife}, Jamielyn {I {heart} Naptime}, Becca {Blue Cricket Design}, Me
Michelle {A Little Tipsy}, Steph {Somewhat Simple}, Amy {Ameeronie Designs}
We got a little crazy during some breaks between sessions and I had fun chatting it up with several ladies. Unfortunately I did not get pictures with everyone of them. I really wish I would have…but then this post would be way too long.
I was able to meet Erin from The Vintage Pearl. I was really excited to finally meet her in real life. She was super sweet. I was bummed that I didn’t get to hear her speak but we both spoke at the same time in different breakout sessions. I am sure she was fabulous!
I was also able to hear Becky Higgins speak. I am a huge fan of Becky Higgins and she had some really great advice for managing your life with a business and a busy family. She is such an amazing woman and was so kind and gracious. I look up to her even more if that is even possible.
Stacy {Not Just A Housewife}, Amanda {Every Crafty Endeavor}, Becky Higgins, Me
I was finally able to meet my Twitter buddy Danielle {WhipperBerry & Two Lilies Boutique}. Isn’t she the cutest? We immediately hit it off and I was so glad to be able to get to know her better. She is super creative and talented and someone I look up to in so many ways.
Char {Crap I’ve Made}, Shelley {House of Smith’s}, Stephanie {The Daily Blarg}
Then I listened to a panel discussion about letting your personality shine through your blog and remaining true to yourself and authentic. The speakers were so hilarious and we could not stop laughing. In between all the laughing they shared with us some great advice…one in particular that stood out was when Char said that there is “no competition to be you”! I loved that. Then Shelley broke out into a song and dance that was just plain awesome. That girl can sing and dance. Go here to see a VERY short clip that will give you an idea of just how rocking she was! Courtesy of Jen from Tatertots & Jell-O.
back row: Holly {504 Main}, Joon {Ordy & Joon} I had an awesome conversation with Joon and loved her immediately! Check out her blog to see who she thought my celebrity look alike was!, Brittany and Kathy both from {Red, Blonde and Burlap}
sitting: Beverly {Flamingo Toes}, Amy {no blog yet}, Rebecca {Roots & Wings Co.}, Rebecca {Freckles Crafts}, Claudia {not blog yet}, and Heather {A Couple of Craft Addicts}
*photo courtesy of Kami No Biggie
Becca, Kami {No Biggie}, Jen, Steph, Me, April {Funky Vintage Lovely}
I had a great time and loved learning and meeting some amazing women. Now it is back to reality. It was nice to get away for the weekend but it was good to get back to my family. Thanks everyone for making it such a great weekend! And I’d especially like to thank Tauni and Shey for pulling the whole conference together!
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Would you like more Recipes, DIY, Printables and Organization Ideas?
Subscribing to the newsletter will enable us to periodically send you creative content exclusively for Idea Room subscribers.
*View our Privacy Policy here.
Annie @ {PeppermintPlum} says
Looks like so much fun! I’m glad everyone had such a great time. I love reading all of the recap’s and seeing all of the lovely ladies! :)
Amy says
Thanks Annie! I love reading the recaps too!
Amy,
Your pictures are beautiful! It was so much fun meeting you this weekend. The conference was an infusion of spirit– associating with lovely ladies like yourself. Hopefully we see you again before next year.
Kisses,
Em
So good to finally meet you and the WhipperBerry gals Heather and Danielle. You three are so great. What a fun way to blog with best friends! You are a gem!
I LOVE our tall bloggers picture! For once, we aren’t standing out like sore thumbs! :-) And thanks for the clip of Shellie’s song! I missed all of that.
I’m so glad you were able to be part of our Girls’ Night Out! I only wish we had gotten the chance to talk more! Hopefully, next time! It was so nice to meet you!
I will send you the tall bloggers pic. Nice not to finally tower over everyone :) I wish we had been able to talk more too but am so glad that I was able to meet with you. I need your shoes :)
Amy this is such a great review!! It was so fun to get to meet you – even if we didn’t get the chance to talk a lot. ;) I loved your panel and learned so much! I’m having CE withdrawals!! haha.
I thought I was already following you but I wasn’t so I’ve fixed that now! :)
Bev–I wish we had been able to talk more too. Thanks for the kind words about the panel. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the follow. Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Thanks for being one of my travel buddies. I can’t tell you how great it was to talk to you and get to know you better. You’re amazing. Just the way I thought you would be. And now since I know you live so close I promise not to stalk you too much. I still haven’t got this twitter thing down. Maybe when I have a little time to breath. Anyway, it was great to get to know you better. Thanks for letting me hang around.
So glad we could be travel buddies and be able to hang out together with Amy! You two are hilarious. Thanks for letting me copy you on your bracelet purchase. Good taste you have.
What a great wrap up. I seriously had such a wonderful time this weekend at Creative Estates. It was so fun to get to know you better. So many amazing women. I felt so blessed to be able to attend.
You are wonderful!
xoxox
Jen
Jen–You are the best. Loved hanging out with you too! Good thing we are neighbors in real life to keep hangning out :)
Love all of these PICTURES! Great recap! So glad you put a little clip of Shelley singing! That song has been STUCK in my head all week! Loved meeting you!!! So glad we are bloggy friends now! Your such a joy!
Destiny! Loved meeting you too. You and Tamarria (sp?) are so cute! Glad I got the chance to get to know you and now follow along on your blog :) Thanks for the pics of the Jo Totes bag ladies! Let’s keep in touch!
Amy,
This was a great post! So much fun. ;) I’m so glad someone got a video of Shelley singing- that was impressive and I mean that seriously- that girl can sing! So glad we ran into you in the airport and had a chance to visit for a minute. The friendships that I made were the very best part of Creative Estates, I’m glad to say that you were one of them. :)
Have a great week!
xoxo,
Amy
Love hanging out with you and Leanne! You two are hilarious!! Glad we live close to one another!
What a fun time! I wish I could have been there.
Would love to meet you next year if you are able to make it!
It was so great to hear you speak! Thank you for sharing with us this past weekend!
Thanks Amy! Love your handmade jewelry! Just ordered a beautiful ring from you and can’t wait to get it!!
It was so great to get to know you a little better! We brunettes gotta stick together. I am so jealous that you look fabulous in all your pics! I look mangled in all of mine. Something about a camera to bring out the worst in me. I really enjoyed your panel! You ladies shared some great info. Maybe I will brave the WordPress switch over. Oh and I feel super cool to have made the post! ;)
Whatever…I had some seriously bad ones that made the trash :) You are so cute, fun and spunky and I am so glad that I got to meet you. You three (your roomies) are some of my favorites…
Love it! Aren’t those pics awesome? I love seeing everyone’s different group shots and photos. I can never get enough photos. I think it’s a sickness. :) I miss seeing your smiling face every day. Thanks so much for being you. I love every single thing about Idea Room Amy. In fact, I’m gonna start on a sculpture of your face right now. Say you, say me…..
Looks like you had a wonderful time! I loved all the photos!!! What beautiful, creative women :) And how awesome that you spoke! :)
Thanks Haley. Can’t believe how many amazingly talented and beautiful women bloggers and handmade artists I was able to rub shoulders with. You would have fit right in :) xoxo
I want to cheer and cry at the same time. Looks like a blast and I want to hear every sorted detail, but I know I never will. You will forget it all by the time I get there…I will accept a long email about what BH said about life/biz if you feel so inclined. I hear there is a next year near you! Do you have a date for that?
Wish you had been able to attend! I will share deets :) Can’t wait to hang out again in May…for reals this time!
HI Amy! how can I get a copy of the “tall girls” photo from the friday night Girls Night out dinner? ;)
So good to meet you Megan. Sending it over :)
Great wrap up and photos. I’d love a copy of the table photo with Joon, Bev, Holly,etc. And very soon I hope to be Claudia with a blog instead of “no blog yet” !! Take care.
Yeah! Let me know when you get it up and running. I would love to be one of your first followers! I will send it right over!
You are SO sweet Amy! Thanks for the kind words! I have been a follower of your fabulous site for a few years, so it was nice to finally meet you! You are a DOLL! Hope to see you again at another event!
Jamie
Loved meeting and hanging out with you! A highlight for sure! Give that sweet baby a kiss! What an adorable baby!!
Whoa, whoa, whoa… Don’t you live in Utah? Why is it that you’re a bronzed goddess in April, and I live in Hawaii and am a white, pasty, quasi-glow-in-the-dark mess? I call no fair…
Truly, you’re very lovely, Amy. And I’m jealous I missed out on the fun this year. Hopefully another time…maybe I’ll mow the lawn in my swimsuit tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. Then maybe by next year I’ll be able to stand next to you without hanging my head in shame. :) ((Oh, and we have very tall fences, so no neighbors will be blinded by my legs.))
Aloha,
Charlie
LOL! Normally I am pasty white. I just so happened to have gone to sunny St. George right before CE and we played in the sun for 5 days and I sat by the pool with the kids for several hours. It felt so good to finally soak up some Vit D and some sunshine.
LOL! You go girl!! So jealous of the everyday Hawaiian sun you get to enjoy…it is snowing right as I type!!
My dear sweet Amy, what amazing weekend it was. Most of all inspiring awesomeness from the people I admire the most. The bonds of blogging friends is what I cherish the most from Creative estates. You are the light in my life and a sister in my heart. Love, love you to pieces!!
Danielle
Wow! *tear* What a sweet comment. Loved meeting you and feel the same way about you. So glad we finally were able to meet up! {hugs}
I was so happy to meet you in person. And you are pretty much rad. And I know rad… Obviously.