It really is amazing all the doors that have opened up to bloggers in the last couple of years. I still have to pinch myself that I get to do these things and they are part of my business as a blogger. Totally unreal at times, to be able to take part in these brand events.  A group of bloggers were brought together last week in Charlotte, NC for a Rustoleum event to showcase some of their new products.
I love brands that get it. They realize that working with the end users who actually use their products is the best way to get the word out. And getting product to bloggers who are end users really gets the word out. We use their products, we blog about their products and it’s a win-win for all. You all get to read about the products and decide which ones you want to try in your own homes and we are the ones who document the process of using them in our own homes.
I love that brands and companies are realizing that we do have a large voice as bloggers and that when we love a product and a brand, we will share it with the world. Rustoleum is one of those companies who get it and I’m very happy to be associated with them, getting to try out products. This blog journey is multi-faceted all along the way and I’ve been so blessed to be able to partner up with some incredible brands, Rustoleum being one of them.
There were 12 bloggers brought in for this event and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner the first night and then the second day got to hear several presentations from the folks at Rustoleum about some of their stain products and some new products that haven’t been out that long. I hope to use one of those soon. I’m excited that I might have found a product to use on my concrete block wall at the end of my driveway, so that will be something that I will get to try out this year.
They booked us all at the historic Duke Mansion in Charlotte, NC. I didn’t know what to expect, but boy oh boy, was it beautiful. This gorgeous mansion has a lot of history in the area and began as a family residence back in the day. It’s now a bed and breakfast and wow, is it grand.
This is the front of Duke Mansion and when I heard the word, mansion, it totally conjured up this view.
This is the back yard of Duke Mansion. Can you imagine? Totally beautiful place.
Me and Roeshel enjoying the sunshine that first afternoon.
I was really bummed that somewhere between Charlotte and Atlanta on the last day, I lost my point and shoot camera that I’ve had a few years and so lost all the photos that I took at the event as well. So, these pics are from my iphone, blog friends and some that the Rustoleum team took the two days we were there. I’ll just have to find another point and shoot, the smaller ones come in handy many times.
The foyer area of the mansion has these gorgeous black and white tiled floors and Rustoleum used all of this area to showcase their products.
Chevron board and spray painted bottles and jars. Their products really can be used for so many applications and DIYers love it.
These are all stain colors on the boards.
That first night we all gathered in the big lobby area for a cocktail party and it was fun to catch up with everyone. I had met all the bloggers who were there, except one, Kristi and it was so wonderful to get to see many of my friends again.
More spray painted bottles.
These 4 colors are possible contenders for new spray paints, so check them out and place your vote. Would love to hear which one you’d love to see out! They will be paying attention to popular vote.
The room I stayed in was large and spacious, very comfortable.
After the cocktail party, we headed to Bonterra, a really nice restaurant for a fabulous meal. I love great meals like this, totally a treat.
John and Sherry from Young House Love were there with us, talking about their new book and how blogging is so much easier than writing a book. We loved seeing them again and getting to hang out and chat during our time together. They are a great example of how starting a blog has changed their lives as well. They started the same year I did, documenting their fixer upper house and now they are mega-blog stars (although they are so down to earth, you’d never know it!), with a new book and lots of great opportunities have come about for them.
I can’t complain, so many great things have happened to me too because of blogging. I’m thankful every single day for those blessings.
I chose tenderloin for dinner and this was one scrumptious meal, let me tell you. We had appetizers, a delicious salad, and I had creme brulee for dessert. A girl could get spoiled being treated like that.
The next day we heard from lots of the Rustoleum folks about new products, color trends, and more.
We then had a hands on workshop with Mark, where we got chunks of sanded oak boards to stain and take home with us. They are shipping our boards to us as well as the hooks that will go on them. I’m putting mine in my laundry room. We got to try out all the new stain colors and that was fun.
Something was funny, can’t remember what. We all got personalized aprons to wear, how cute is that?
My buddy, Cassity and I shared the same table. She is from Utah and we’ve been on other events together. She’s a sweetheart.
I was enraptured with my block of wood apparently.
Traci was having fun with hers too.
I took a pic for Instagram at one point, but had to bite the foam brush in order to press the button on my phone, so this is what came out. We bloggers love to put out pics on Instagram. Are you on there, find me?
We all worked on staining our boards. I chose Weathered Gray for mine and then went back and added a darker stain to darken it up a bit and I think it’s going to be pretty hanging on the wall.
Group shot with many of my closest blog friends.
A group shot of all of us who were there:
From left to right, back row:Â Kate, me, Roeshel, Sarah, Beth, Ashley (who blogs with her sister, Whitney), Traci, Ethan, Kristi
Kneeling:Â Cassity, Whitney, Jocie (married to Ethan)
I loved getting to meet Kristi and hanging out with Ethan and Jocie and Ashley and Whitney again (they were at Haven last year). Such great people!
It was such a fun time. These events are all fun and we do learn a lot too. Again, I love brands that get it and want to work with the folks who are using and promoting their products. Being a blogger has been such a fulfilling journey for me and I’m grateful every day that I get to do something that I love to do so much.
Thanks for coming along the trip with us! I hope this gave you an idea of what goes on behind the scenes at these events.Â
Here’s one more bit of exciting news to share. It seems that I’m going to be featured in Atlanta magazine in May. Yippee, can’t believe that either. I’ll keep you posted when I know more details! I heard a one page feature, so that is wonderful news to me.
Natalie @ A Turtle's Life for Me says
How fun and exciting to get to test all these products with the experts right there to help guide you! I am so inspired by you and all the other bloggers pictured here! What a wonderful life you get to enjoy thanks to all of your hard work!
Beth Morrow says
Looks like great fun! I love to stay in old B&B Mansions! Beautiful!
Emily Clark says
Looks like tons of fun! Hate I missed seeing you all while you were in town.
Dagmar ~ Dagmar's Home says
You lucky gal, Rhoda! What a wonderful blogger event.
I need your opinion as the go-to-person regarding all things interior design: we finally ordered our kitchen, but my favorite part hasn’t been ordered yet: the farmhouse sink I’m insisting on 🙂
I have to make a choice between a 24-inch farmhouse sink that’s 10 inches deep or a 26-inch farmhouse sink that’s 9 inches deep. The 26 inches sink is $150 more expensive. Any opinion? I would love it if your readers also have an opinion! Thanks!
Rhoda says
HI, Dagmar! Congrats on the new kitchen. I would go with the 10″ deep sink too. I have a deep one and love it.
Paula@SweetPea says
This looks like such a fun event! I’m glad that you were invited to attend and that you enjoyed it so much.
Dagmar – I would get the 10″ deep sink. I went with a deep sink when we remodeled and I love it!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Rhoda…what a great opportunity to be able to attend such a great event with Rustoleum and participate with so many of your friends….Looked like you all had a fantastic time…Congrats on your Atlanta magazine feature!
Debbie says
Awesome post, you have the life! Looks so fun…
Rebecca says
Rhoda: What a great event, and I love the personalized aprons! I vote for the emerald- that would be a great way to change up some thrift store crockery.
Glenda says
What a great opportunity for you and the other bloggers! You aare so right about spreading the word about new products…….I have learned so much from you and your fellow bloggers. Rustoleum is very wise to use this method to get the word out about their line of products.
Robin@All Things Heart and Home says
That looks like so much fun! And I bet you got all kinds of ideas for new projects!
I love the emerald by the way 🙂
And Atlanta Magazine!!! Yay!!! Like you I live in the Atlanta area and I can’t wait to see the feature!
Congratulations 🙂
xo Robin
Lucy says
What a wonderful opportunity! Loved seeing you on Friday!
Katie says
Sounds like a fun event! Can’t wait for you to post how your weathered gray board turned out. Congrats on Atlanta magazine!!
SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says
What a fun opportunity, Rhoda! Charlotte is a beautiful city. Congrats on the Atlanta mag feature- let us know when it comes out, would love to grab a copy!
Sheila Hill says
Rhoda, I’m pleased that you had a break from all the hard work that you and your parents have been doing on your lovely home. Looks like you had an enjoyable time with the Rustoleum people and they treated the bloggers very well. Nice accomadations, good food and friends! Bless your heart for all the challenges you have endured.
Brenna says
We must have swapped places this weekend! I am from Charlotte and took a trip to Atlanta. I am so glad you got to experience the very best of what Charlotte has to offer at the Duke Mansion and Bonterra. Hopefully you will come back soon!
Barbara says
Hi Rhoda,
Rustoleum is a great company. Glad you had a great time. I’m going to go check out their new stain colors.
Jill says
Hi Rhoda,
What a fun outing! Does Rustoleum make an orange spray paint? That’s our fav color at the store. Hope you can pop in and visit soon!
Rhoda says
Hi, Jill, I’m sure they must offer some sort of orange color, I’ll have to check. I have your shop on my list of places to visit soon. I’ve got to get in and say hello to Steve (and meet you too!).
Heidi @ Decor & More says
What an amazing opportunity, Rhoda! Love the Rustoleum product line. 🙂
Congrats on your Atlanta mag feature!! We should celebrate!
xo Heidi
Melesa Garrison says
Looks like you girls had a great time! I like all the colors, but I’m on an emerald kick right now 😉
Dagmar, definiteley go with the deep sink!
Thanks for sharing, Rhoda!
Valerie @ Making It Worthy says
Congratulations on your upcoming Atl mag feature, you really do what you do very well, may God continue to bless your passion.
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Rhoda,
Looks like you had a fabulous time, and congratulations on the mag. feature! This is your year to shine after all that hard work last year!