I’ve made some wonderful friends during my 7 years of blogging and one of them is Jen Schmidt who blogs at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. She’s a dear Christian friend and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know her and sharing time with her over the years that we’ve known each other. She lives in NC and 4 years ago, started a conference called Becoming in Asheville, NC. It’s not a blog conference for and about blogging at all, but a conference for women who read blogs or for any bloggers who just want to get away too.
Women come from all over who just want to experience a fun girls’ getaway weekend with their friends and soak in the wisdom and inspiration from the speakers. This year, the conference will be August 8 and 9, 2014, and again at Ridgecrest Conference Center in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, NC. This is such a picturesque city to visit and I love visiting Asheville. I’m really happy to say that this year I’ll be a speaker at Becoming and will be sharing some decorating tips and ideas along with KariAnne, my sweet friend from Thistlewood Farms. I’m so excited to be on the agenda with all of these fabulous speakers this year! 
Becoming Creative, Purposeful, and Frugal are the taglines of the conference and those are the 3 tracks you will have to choose from on class sessions. From saving money, to organizational ideas, and learning ways to be more creative with less, there’s going to be lots of fun topics shared over the course of the weekend. I’m super excited to be speaking this year and can’t wait to meet all of you who will be there too. Again, this conference is for readers and every day homemakers and moms who want to get away for a fun weekend workshop, to get recharged, inspired, and learn from some inspiring ladies. 
(Kari, Jen, and me at Tybee Island just a couple months ago). I’ll be sharing decorating tips and KariAnne will also be doing a decorating class. It’s going to be a blast!
Just wanted to let you know that tickets are on sale now and you can check here for all the details of reserving a room at the conference center, which also includes the conference costs too. It’s such an affordable conference and I think, very worthwhile attending and I hope to see some of my readers there! If you share a room, you can attend the conference including meals for $100. That’s a great deal! I love that this weekend is for readers. You all hear about blog conferences constantly in blogland, but this one is for YOU, our dear readers! Hope to see you there.
Today, I’m heading on another fast trip, to Nashville, TN to see the newly built HGTV Smart home. I’ll be back with more on that later. I love my job!
What a great conference . . If I did not blog, I would certainly be going…congrats to you and Kari for being chosen as speakers…you two will wow the attendees…So glad I had the opportunity to meet Jen a couple of years ago in NC!…
hi Shirley – it was so fun to see your home featured last Friday right here. 🙂 NC girls unite!
Also, we’d love to have you at Becoming. While Rhoda said it’s not for bloggers, she meant, it’s not a “blogging/business” conference – Every one is welcome and there are lots of bloggers who attend just for fun. 🙂
I went back and reworded that! Just wanted folks to know it’s not about blogging, but about LIFE and how to live it better and it’s for anyone who wants to come, bloggers and readers alike. Hope that makes it more clear.
It sounds like a great retreat! I enjoy reading all three blogs (yours, Karianne’s, and Jen’s), and I would LOVE to see all of you in person. Unfortunately, I will be back in school by that time. -( Oh well. I know you will share some fabulous highlights with us when you get back. Thanks for sharing the news.
Whoa Rhoda – you wear me out! LOL Glad you love your job though. I must be much more a homebody. Love (and am selfish with) my home time!!
Hey, Tina, I get worn out sometimes too! Takes me a day or so to rest up from a trip, but I do love going to and seeing new places. I totally love home too though, I get that!
You DO have such a blessed life! I think it is rare to find people who love their job – who get to do what they love. I am so happy for you!
My dad was a Baptist preacher too, and I remember going to conferences at Ridgecrest over 50 years ago! It was our “family vacation” – ha! I remember “walking through a cloud” – literally – and being in awe of that!
Rhoda – thanks for this info and have fun in Nashville!
What a fabulous place for a retreat – and a great area of focus as well. The world of blogging has led me to so many fine people like you!
Sounds like fun! Rhoda where did you stay on Tybee Island ? Thinking of planning a trip South & Tybee may make our list of must see destinations:)
Hi, Carrie, I stayed in White Caps through Mermaid Cottages. Gorgeous house right near the beach. You can’t go wrong with Tybee Island!
Just want to put in a plug for this conference. I have attended the last two years and they were great. I highly recommend this!
I so, so, so want to come to this conference! (Insert whining voice here!) I just need to figure out how (ie care of grandchildren, time off from day job, and finances). I’m seriously looking into making plans for the boys and getting my big ol’ misplaced southern butt down there.
Yay for my hometown of Asheville, NC! LOVE this conference and SO excited you and Karianne will be there! I met both of you at Haven 2013, and cannot wait for you to be in my neck of the woods in August!