In our opinion, the very best thing about a blogging conference is meeting our online friends face to face. Being able to put a face with an online voice and a blog is priceless! We are so looking forward to getting to know each and everyone of you!
Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Barb Garrett of PRWest.com
It's all about the details...
It's all about the "details." Its always been my main design philosophy, and recently I realized it could very well be my life philosophy, too. The details of my life are the things that matter the most, and none of them have to do with material objects.
I am the wife of a retired US Marine Colonel. After his 30+ year career, we decided that we would move back home to NC, where I was born and raised on a large agriculture farm. After traveling the world, in my heart I knew it was time to be closer to my wonderful parents and friends and family.
I am the Mother of a Veteran US Soldier, and a daughter-in-law who also served two tours in Iraq. They have blessed me with three beautiful grandchildren who are my heartbeats.
God has been so good to me in so many ways. I have enjoyed a life rich with happiness and health - which included 3 years living abroad in Europe. That is where I truly discovered my love for design and cooking. Recently, I tried out for HGTV's Design Star and received three call backs. I needed only two more, but sadly - the calls never came.
I became a Blogger in 2008, and I feel God has truly led me to this direction. It has enriched my life in so many ways - travel, new friends and a whole new appreciation for the empowerment of women.
I am in the process of opening my online shop "details." It will featuring a selection of finds from my travels in Europe, as well as, a variety of objects which represent the variety of styles which I love.
I am also looking forward to saying good-bye to a long real estate career, and becoming a full-time Blogger. Let the creativity begin!
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Ideas to make your home brighter and your heart lighter...
Crafty, sassy, irreverent and just a little bit frazzled, Atta Girl is the alter ego of a modern mommy living in Greensboro, N.C.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~Atta Girl loves modern conveniences — she’d be lost without her smartphone, the dishwasher, boxed wine and the pizza delivery boy — but she appreciates the handmade, homemade and old-fashioned. She’s a cook, a crafter and a consummate dabbler in all things domestic. Atta Girl does the June Cleaver bit — and then some — but without the high heels and pearls.
Atta Girl Amy is a “recovering” journalist who earns her living writing business books and dispensing propaganda for her PR clients. She forces her 5-year-old to watch home decorating shows and has co-opted the family’s garage for painting, glittering and other creative projects. She enjoys cooking, paper crafting, furniture rehab and entertaining. Currently, Amy is undergoing extensive retail therapy to regain her sanity.
It's all about the hospitable home...
After working in the Healthcare field for over 20 years, I decided to retire and pursue my passion of decorating. Throughout the years I have always enjoyed decorating for my friends and family. After the encouragement of many, I decided to obtain “credentials” so that I may have the opportunity to join various design organizations.
I decided to take the courses offered by I.R.I.S. (Interior Redesign Industry Specialists). After completion, I opened up my business, “Housepitality Designs” It had been a wonderful rewarding experience. Seven years ago, we decided to relocate to North Carolina to be close to our new beautiful granddaughter. I did not continue work in my business as I became very involved in the building and decorating process of our new home. Also, wanted to have free “grandma time”…However, my passion for design has led me to creating a fun blog to satisfy my constant need for decorating and creating.
I hope to bring you great ideas through my travels and experiences and my love for all things with regard to decorating and especially my passion for decorating for Christmas.
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Cindy Miller of HighRisk!
Bringing beauty, passion and warmth to your home...
I'm a native Texan, but relocated my business, Bliss Designs, to Pinehurst, NC and work with clients throughout the Sandhills. When I'm not designing, I am in the kitchen. I love to cook and love to eat, both while wearing my trademark high heels. It’s a blissful life that inspires me to help others find their own bliss.
I've been breathing new life into homes for more than 15 years. I started in window treatments, developing a specialty in curtains, shutters and blinds. At the request of clients, I added complete interior design services, including redecorating, home staging and home restyling.
In addition to creating beautiful spaces for my clients, I enjoy teaching them to reflect their personal style in their homes. When shopping with clients, I help them to select pieces that fit their personality, regardless of the price. I'm a staunch believer that the $30 accent piece is sometimes a better choice than a $200 piece, that good design is about more than spending money.
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Brittany of 123 Links
Empowering you to complete your own diy project
Cindy Miller of HighRisk!
Bringing beauty, passion and warmth to your home...
I'm a native Texan, but relocated my business, Bliss Designs, to Pinehurst, NC and work with clients throughout the Sandhills. When I'm not designing, I am in the kitchen. I love to cook and love to eat, both while wearing my trademark high heels. It’s a blissful life that inspires me to help others find their own bliss.
I've been breathing new life into homes for more than 15 years. I started in window treatments, developing a specialty in curtains, shutters and blinds. At the request of clients, I added complete interior design services, including redecorating, home staging and home restyling.
In addition to creating beautiful spaces for my clients, I enjoy teaching them to reflect their personal style in their homes. When shopping with clients, I help them to select pieces that fit their personality, regardless of the price. I'm a staunch believer that the $30 accent piece is sometimes a better choice than a $200 piece, that good design is about more than spending money.
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Brittany of 123 Links
Empowering you to complete your own diy project
I grew up in Northern Virginia, the oldest of three daughters. My parents added onto our home three times during my childhood. During renovations, my mom and dad let me swing hammers and “help” them build. They instilled in me a belief that I could do anything a boy could do — if not better.
Ten years ago my husband and I bought our first house and I learned how to make repairs and home improvements — one broken toilet at a time. Over the years we’ve amassed quite a few power tools. I enjoy the surprised look on faces when I explain that they are actually my power tools and I don’t usually let my husband (affectionately referred to as Pretty Handsome Guy) touch them.
My mantra is that if someone can do it, then there is a 95% chance that I can do it too! As a woman, I refuse to bow to the stereotypes that women aren’t handy. Please join me on my DIY journey as I show you some of the accomplishments and pitfalls of doing it yourself!
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Kristen Dobson of Vitesse Financial
Live beautifully...
After college and the start of a successful career in public accounting, I was a young mother torn between balancing the corporate world and the needs of my children. Though happy at home with my children, I still yearned to be creative and productive while still being there as a mom. I took a chance and applied to be a vendor at one of the most premier antique shows in the country (The Farm Chicks Show in Spokane, WA) and the rest is history…
With three little girls, I’ve been digging, picking, hauling, re-habbing, painting furniture and other vintage goods since 2007. My adventures have now brought me to Raleigh, North Carolina where I’m discovering the treasures and beauty of the South.
Besides selling my wares at local shows and shops, I have a passion to design and create unique spaces in my own home from castoffs and vintage finds…all on a serious budget! I love scouring for deals and getting that designer look for less and sharing it all on my blog too.
My goal is to inspire women to take that creative leap of faith, pick up a paintbrush, try something new, and to explore and have confidence in their own personal style.
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Suzy Handgraaf of Mommy Blogger Directory
Create, fabricate, decorate on a budget...
I'm the wife of a retired US Marine Captain, mother of one, stepmom of three and a blessed Nanama to three precious grandgirls. My life is very full these days as I take care of my two youngest granddaughters while my daughter works full time. I'm originally from Atlanta, but moved to Greensboro, NC as a tiny girl of three and other than a few years in Asheville, have lived here ever since.
I have what seems like a life long passion for interior design. I entered the University of NC at Greensboro intending to make that my major, but like so many, I lost my focus and wound up in the corporate world for nearly forty years.
As much as I was able, I filled my nights and weekends in the world of interior design. I was ecstatic when in 2006, my dream of leaving the very stress filled corporate world became a reality.
It didn't take me long after retiring to realize a strong need to do something with my creative side. I wanted to find a way to immerse myself in the world of interior design while still keeping my faith and my family as my #1 priorities. The perfect solution presented itself when I opened Suzanne's Custom Sewing for the Home. I learned to sew clothing at my mother's knee, but my true passion was not in sewing clothing. It lay in creating custom window treatments, bedding, pillows and a myriad of other home decor items.
Owning a custom home decor workroom opened many doors for me. I was not a licensed interior designer, but I worked alongside several who often sought my advice. Even though my business is not currently active, I'm enjoying helping others create beautiful, comfortable, liveable spaces.
I have what seems like a life long passion for interior design. I entered the University of NC at Greensboro intending to make that my major, but like so many, I lost my focus and wound up in the corporate world for nearly forty years.
As much as I was able, I filled my nights and weekends in the world of interior design. I was ecstatic when in 2006, my dream of leaving the very stress filled corporate world became a reality.
It didn't take me long after retiring to realize a strong need to do something with my creative side. I wanted to find a way to immerse myself in the world of interior design while still keeping my faith and my family as my #1 priorities. The perfect solution presented itself when I opened Suzanne's Custom Sewing for the Home. I learned to sew clothing at my mother's knee, but my true passion was not in sewing clothing. It lay in creating custom window treatments, bedding, pillows and a myriad of other home decor items.
Owning a custom home decor workroom opened many doors for me. I was not a licensed interior designer, but I worked alongside several who often sought my advice. Even though my business is not currently active, I'm enjoying helping others create beautiful, comfortable, liveable spaces.
To this very day, it is my goal to inspire!
