Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart
Southern Bloggers Conference…guest speaking and a pass giveaway!
Hi friends! We have an exciting announcement and an awesome giveaway here today At The Picket Fence!
Have you heard of the Southern Bloggers Conference? In just a few weeks bloggers from all of the the south and even farther will be gathering together to learn, laugh and create…all things bloggers do best!
And, Heather is so excited to be joining forces with the fabulous Southern Blogger Conference committee as a featured speaker!! How cool is that y’all!?! grin!
I couldn’t be more tickled to stand on the platform with three other amazing women…all whom I call my dear friends!
First…the fabulous, the gorgeous…the oh so Southern…Rhoda of Southern Hospitality! She has so much wisdom to share after years of blogging and will be taking us on a journey through her blogging career and what she has learned along the way.
Then there’s my dear, lovely, make you laugh until you cry friend Kari of Thistlewood Farm.
Y’all don’t even KNOW how funny this girl is. I start laughing even before I head over to her blog cause I know her post is going to have me in stitches and her gorgeous photos will leave me with my mouth hanging open. Kari, will be sharing how she has grown her blog so quickly and the secrets behind her success!
And last, but most certainly not least, my beautiful and eclectically talented with a vintage twist amazing friend Kelly of Eclectically Vintage.
You might have met Kelly yesterday here At The Picket Fence, since she was our guest. If not visit that post to see her amazing projects and home. Kelly will be sharing blogging mistakes she has made along the way and what she’s learned from them.
And then y’all get to hear from me..how I’m going to follow that billing is beyond me! grin! I will be sharing how to “fake it ’till you make it” and how to find, work with and develop long term relationships with sponsors. Unfortunately Vanessa won’t be joining us, but we’ll have to come up with a fun way to “bring her along” anyway…heheh!
Now don’t YOU want to join us in Raleigh, North Carolina October 12-13th for this amazing conference!
We will kick off the conference Friday night with a fun cocktail party and then spend Saturday learning and creating with sessions and some amazing demonstrations! Sunday the committee has a fun thrifting day planned. It’s going to be two days you don’t want to miss!
You can get all of the information for the Southern Bloggers Conference on their website as well as keep up with all of the exciting information leading up to the conference on their Facebook Page…and…I am so extatic to be offering ONE of our readers a chance to attend this conference on us!
The conference committee would like to offer one reader of At The Picket Fence a chance to win a conference pass!! We’d sure love it to be YOU!
Here’s all you have to do to enter:
Leave a comment below telling me one reason why you love the South so much (you don’t even have to be southern, just tell us something you love about Southern traditions..think sweet tea. grin!) and you’ll be entered to win a pass to the Southern Bloggers Conference!
Giveaway open until Saturday 8 am EST
We’ll draw the winners name and announce it on Saturday!
and even if you don’t win a ticket, bless your heart, we’d sure love to see you there! Prices are so reasonable and we promise what you take away from the conference will be priceless!
If you are already planning on attending, be sure to put the conference button on your blog!
;
Can’t wait to see y’all at the Southern Bloggers Conference!
Yes! I do want to join you there! Too bad it’s so so far. Oh, to be from the South! OK, I guess I am from the South technically, the South of Canada! Hope y’all (hehe) have a fantastically fabulous time! I’ll be there in spirit. 🙂
My favorite thing about the south is that people are WAY friendlier. I’ve found friendly people in the north but the south is noticibly friendlier overall. Maybe it’s because they are frozen half the year;)
Yes…I would LOVE to join all of you in October. Since, I’m a true SOUTHERN GAL, I guess my favorite thing is our FOOD, can’t get any better food, than here! I seem to always have me some grits, at least once a week:) Sounds like y’all have a fun weekend planned.
“The South” is a beautiful place with the most friendliest people you would ever want to meet….I love everything about “The South” from the smell of the sweet magnolias to the beautiful fields of cotton and it’s reputation of great Southern Hospitality.
We have a magnificent line-up of speakers that are sure to leave you well informed and entertained!! So come to the beautiful South to attend this wonderful Conference and share a glass of sweet tea with us…!
So excited and looking forward to meeting everyone!
Can’t wait to break out my inner Southern gal! I was just in NC and my favorite thing was the BBQ! Now I’m craving it – I’ll have to wait until October before I can sink my teeth into some true Southern cooking! Kelly
It will be so nice to meet you after reading your blog for so long. I’m excited to meet Karianne, Rhoda, and Kelly too…should be a great conference and it’s been a blast to be on the planning committee!
I would LOVE to win!!! You know what a big fan I am of all of y’all and it would be like a mini-reunion from the summer 🙂 I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed!
Heather, I’d love to join you for the conference! ONE favorite thing about the South? My Southern good manners require, however, that I adhere to your request… So I’ll take a sip of my delicious sweet tea while rocking on my beautiful front porch and waving to my neighbors as they pass by … and tell you that it just doesn’t get any better than Southern food. (It’s lunch time. What did you expect me to say?) Seriously. Southern food comes in a wide variety with something for everybody!
I am happier than a fat sow in a mud hole. 🙂 Its gonna be a wonderful day of wisdom and laughing and learning. We gotta figure out how to keep Kari’s hands still while she is talking. LOL Seriously, I really appreciate that you gals are going to be there. xxoo
Oh My! I so have wanted to move down south as its quite a slower pace and theres just somethin about that good ol fashioned Southern hospitality!I love the southern gardens and their longer bloom times and Ya’ll have Paula Dean!I would love to win this:)
Hi Heather! Oh, this does sound like it will be a fantastic time! Now you’re as cute as you’re good at everything you do! I know all will be wonderful and the group is blessed to have you and I love your hair! 🙂 Be a sweetie, Shelia 😉
I love Southern Hospitality!!! I would love, love, love to join you fab ladies and meet my virtual friends in real life! Winning a ticket would sure help with that. Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed! Sharon @ mrs. hines class
Working on the planning team for the Southern Bloggers Conference has been such a great experience. Barb, Shirley, Cindy, Kristen and Amy are all wonderful women. And the icing on the cake is that I’ll be meeting you, Heather, and Rhoda and Kari and Kelly and everyone else that will be there! How does a native Southerner choose just ONE thing to love about the South???? I’ll pipe in and mention what no one else has mentioned yet – the weather!
Growing up in the south, but also traveling all the corners of the US for work, it’s always a comfort to come home to where manners are still valued, and a simple “please and thank you” make you know you’re home! (and even insults aren’t rude…bless your heart!)
This is AMAZING!!! How COOL is it that you get to be a speaker!?! Okay you have to pick me as the winner because I LOVE the South! What’s not to love, super friendly people, GORGEOUS houses, tons of trees, delicious food… need I go on…
I’m a Southerner born and bred right here in NC. I do love sweet tea and fried chicken (though I don’t cook it myself) and precious southern accents. But most of all, I love the friendliness and no pretense attitude of the south. Would love to go to the conference!
Well I am not from the south but I do love to visit. The sweet tea, bbq, cornbread or fritters and Blue Bell ice cream are some of my favorites.If I won I would figure out how to make this trip happen:)
I have to say the hospitality! Oh and the southern food is great too! I would love to win this! I am crossing my fingers! I need all the help I can get! 🙂
Oh, how I miss the south!! I grew up in Texas with GREAT food!! I miss Tex Mex food and Bar B-que!! Still get to visit regularly, and always bring a list of where I want to eat! 😉 I would LOVE to win!!!
First I love the wide range of food flavors and traditions you find in the south from red beans and rice to shrimp and grits all the variations on BBQ and Southern Fried Chicken. Second from personal experience I love Alabama especially Lower Alabama from sittin on the sea wall at Mobile bay feeding the crabs(called fishin lol) to Mardi Gras in Downtown Mobile, to boating on Magnolia River and the Innercoastal Water Way , LuLus at Homeport, the smell of the paper mills in the heavy air there isn’t much better than Lower Alabama did I mention the white sands and warm waters to frolic in lol…. RaNae of Ewe Creek Cottage
I’m not from the South (I’m originally from Iowa) but have the privilege of calling Georgia my home now. My favorite thing about the South is my husband, Bill. He was born in Atlanta & is Southern through & through!! I met him in a beer line at an Atlanta Braves game, it was love at first sight & he asked me to marry him 12 days later! That was over 13 years ago and we’re still having a ball together! Our meeting is truly a love story (there’s more to tell) & I’m blessed every day he’s in my life! I really appreciate the chance to experience this conference with you ladies. I read all your blogs & would love to hang out with “y’all”!!! ♥’s Sherry
I Love being a Southern Bell! Some Southern things that make my heart go pitter patter are saying Ya’llll, Sweet Tea, some good ole fried chicken, lexington style BBQ, grits, oh I could go on and on. Would love a chance to be able to go to the Southern Bloggers Conference!!!
Open, Welcoming front porches with a swing-brings back the memory of summer days and swinging on my Grandma Mobley’s front porch [or Aunt Vera’s or Aunt Laura’s] in rural south Georgia where I grew up. Jonell Harrison Brundidge, Alabama “Like Gramma’s House” blog https://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com
This would be the greatest conference to attend! I think it will be very intimate! I love the speakers and think a good ol’ southern conference is a great idea! I have a confession, I like Yankee tea! Yes, unsweetened tea is for me, but I’m southern to the core! Really! Thanks for hosting this amazing giveaway! I’m fixin’ to cross my finger and toes as soon as I finish typing this! 🙂
Saturday learning and creating with sessions and some amazing demonstrations! Sunday the committee has a fun thrifting day planned. It’s going to be two days you don’t want to miss.
I almost hate to comment because I can’t come. A friend’s daughter is getting married that weekend, and though blog conferences look fun, I’m a certified wedding junkie and won’t miss it for the world.
Congrats on being asked to speak, Heather. What an honor!
Bless your heart for doing this give-away and please count me in the draw. My favorite thing about the South is the manners (not to mention my drawl). My son works in New York City and is always receiving such nice compliments on his manners (makes this southern Momma proud!)
Congrats on being a speaker with some great ladies! Yes ma’am, I would love to go the this conference and meet some of my favorite blogging ladies. What do I love about the South? There’s so darn much! That’s why I’ve spent my whole cotton pickin’ life here! How about…biscuits and gravy; sweet tea; mint juleps; cowboy boots; and cowboys too;); SEC football; gosh I could go on and on. Anyway. Pick me! I need to go to this! I’ve got a real hankerin’ to go! Take care, y’all! Angie
I’m a Kentucky girl! And after living in South Carolina (nice!) and Ohio (yankees!) I’ve found that I love hot summers & a little bit of snow in the winter. Love being close to family & friends. Love Kentucky traditions like the derby & Kentucky basketball. And, of course, I love sweet tea! Would also love to go to the Southern Bloggers conference! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m a northern girl, but LOVE everything about the South, but especially the warmth and hospitality of its people! Hoping to make a move down in the next year! YAY!
I’m not a blogger yet, but am itching to go this conference. So pick me!
I love the south so much, because the people are so friendly and helpful. My mom jokes with me, because I was born in NYC, but I love the South. LOL Love to make it to the conference, so I can learn from ya’ll! Have a great weekend.
It is hard to choose one reason….sweet tea, cookouts, manners & smiles,the different seasons collards, but most of all — sitting on my screen porch without the mosquito bites! Love, Love your blog.
I grew up in Florida (which is NOT the South) and then moved up to Raleigh NC when I was in my 30’s with my family. The people are warm and welcoming and loving. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!!! ~Linda
Community and connecting. Our vision was that our blog would be a place where people would gather to inspire and be inspired and perhaps feel encouraged along the way. We pictured folks coming out of their homes, coffee cups in hand, and meeting us there…At the Picket Fence!
Yes! I do want to join you there! Too bad it’s so so far. Oh, to be from the South! OK, I guess I am from the South technically, the South of Canada! Hope y’all (hehe) have a fantastically fabulous time! I’ll be there in spirit. 🙂
My favorite thing about the south is that people are WAY friendlier. I’ve found friendly people in the north but the south is noticibly friendlier overall. Maybe it’s because they are frozen half the year;)
I am so excited! We are going to have so much fun! And my favorite thing about being from the South is meeting great Southern friends…..like you!
blessings,
karianne
Yes…I would LOVE to join all of you in October. Since, I’m a true SOUTHERN GAL, I guess my favorite thing is our FOOD, can’t get any better food, than here! I seem to always have me some grits, at least once a week:) Sounds like y’all have a fun weekend planned.
Blessings,
Linda
“The South” is a beautiful place with the most friendliest people you would ever want to meet….I love everything about “The South” from the smell of the sweet magnolias to the beautiful fields of cotton and it’s reputation of great Southern Hospitality.
We have a magnificent line-up of speakers that are sure to leave you well informed and entertained!! So come to the beautiful South to attend this wonderful Conference and share a glass of sweet tea with us…!
So excited and looking forward to meeting everyone!
Can’t wait to break out my inner Southern gal! I was just in NC and my favorite thing was the BBQ! Now I’m craving it – I’ll have to wait until October before I can sink my teeth into some true Southern cooking!
Kelly
Heather,
It will be so nice to meet you after reading your blog for so long. I’m excited to meet Karianne, Rhoda, and Kelly too…should be a great conference and it’s been a blast to be on the planning committee!
Kristen
I would LOVE to win!!! You know what a big fan I am of all of y’all and it would be like a mini-reunion from the summer 🙂 I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed!
Heather, I’d love to join you for the conference! ONE favorite thing about the South? My Southern good manners require, however, that I adhere to your request… So I’ll take a sip of my delicious sweet tea while rocking on my beautiful front porch and waving to my neighbors as they pass by … and tell you that it just doesn’t get any better than Southern food. (It’s lunch time. What did you expect me to say?) Seriously. Southern food comes in a wide variety with something for everybody!
I am happier than a fat sow in a mud hole. 🙂 Its gonna be a wonderful day of wisdom and laughing and learning. We gotta figure out how to keep Kari’s hands still while she is talking. LOL Seriously, I really appreciate that you gals are going to be there. xxoo
Oh My! I so have wanted to move down south as its quite a slower pace and theres just somethin about that good ol fashioned Southern hospitality!I love the southern gardens and their longer bloom times and Ya’ll have Paula Dean!I would love to win this:)
Oh, a BIG congratulations to you Heather, I am sorry to hear Vanessa won’t be able to make it. It seems like everything GOOD happens in the SOUTH 🙂
Hi Heather! Oh, this does sound like it will be a fantastic time! Now you’re as cute as you’re good at everything you do! I know all will be wonderful and the group is blessed to have you and I love your hair! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I love the pace of life in the South. Not so hurried! I second the sweet tea and food of course. And North Carolina is a great state to live in. 🙂
I love Southern Hospitality!!! I would love, love, love to join you fab ladies and meet my virtual friends in real life! Winning a ticket would sure help with that. Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
Working on the planning team for the Southern Bloggers Conference has been such a great experience. Barb, Shirley, Cindy, Kristen and Amy are all wonderful women. And the icing on the cake is that I’ll be meeting you, Heather, and Rhoda and Kari and Kelly and everyone else that will be there! How does a native Southerner choose just ONE thing to love about the South???? I’ll pipe in and mention what no one else has mentioned yet – the weather!
Growing up in the south, but also traveling all the corners of the US for work, it’s always a comfort to come home to where manners are still valued, and a simple “please and thank you” make you know you’re home! (and even insults aren’t rude…bless your heart!)
I love the South because of the beautiful places and smiling faces!!
Being new to the area, I just LOVE how beautiful everything is. I mean really, you totally know on the interstate when you have arrived in NC!
This is AMAZING!!! How COOL is it that you get to be a speaker!?! Okay you have to pick me as the winner because I LOVE the South! What’s not to love, super friendly people, GORGEOUS houses, tons of trees, delicious food… need I go on…
Congrats on this huge exciting honor! 🙂
Anna
I would love to win! The South means long hot summers, short mild winters, friendly people and sweet tea!
I am born and bred Southern. Best part about the south is our hospitality. We are some very friendly folks. Would love to win!!!!!!!!!
I love the good manners that I observe in the south.
I’m a Southerner born and bred right here in NC. I do love sweet tea and fried chicken (though I don’t cook it myself) and precious southern accents. But most of all, I love the friendliness and no pretense attitude of the south. Would love to go to the conference!
Well I am not from the south but I do love to visit. The sweet tea, bbq, cornbread or fritters and Blue Bell ice cream are some of my favorites.If I won I would figure out how to make this trip happen:)
I have to say the hospitality! Oh and the southern food is great too! I would love to win this! I am crossing my fingers! I need all the help I can get! 🙂
My favorite thing about the south?? Wide open spaces!! Thanks for hosting!!
Oh, how I miss the south!! I grew up in Texas with GREAT food!! I miss Tex Mex food and Bar B-que!! Still get to visit regularly, and always bring a list of where I want to eat! 😉
I would LOVE to win!!!
Sweet, Tea, Fried Chicken, Front Porch Rockers, Lightin’ Bug Catchin’ And All Ya’ll Are Just A Few Reasons I Love The South!
Good Luck To All Who Enter!
First I love the wide range of food flavors and traditions you find in the south from red beans and rice to shrimp and grits all the variations on BBQ and Southern Fried Chicken. Second from personal experience I love Alabama especially Lower Alabama from sittin on the sea wall at Mobile bay feeding the crabs(called fishin lol) to Mardi Gras in Downtown Mobile, to boating on Magnolia River and the Innercoastal Water Way , LuLus at Homeport, the smell of the paper mills in the heavy air there isn’t much better than Lower Alabama did I mention the white sands and warm waters to frolic in lol….
RaNae of Ewe Creek Cottage
I’m not from the South (I’m originally from Iowa) but have the privilege of calling Georgia my home now. My favorite thing about the South is my husband, Bill. He was born in Atlanta & is Southern through & through!! I met him in a beer line at an Atlanta Braves game, it was love at first sight & he asked me to marry him 12 days later! That was over 13 years ago and we’re still having a ball together! Our meeting is truly a love story (there’s more to tell) & I’m blessed every day he’s in my life! I really appreciate the chance to experience this conference with you ladies. I read all your blogs & would love to hang out with “y’all”!!!
♥’s
Sherry
The beach is my favorite part of living on the coast of Alabama! Coastal Design and Interiors
I love the hospitality of the south & the magnolia trees!
Thanks you so much for your support with our Southern Bloggers Conference! Can’t wait to see you!
I Love being a Southern Bell! Some Southern things that make my heart go pitter patter are saying Ya’llll, Sweet Tea, some good ole fried chicken, lexington style BBQ, grits, oh I could go on and on. Would love a chance to be able to go to the Southern Bloggers Conference!!!
Open, Welcoming front porches with a swing-brings back the memory of summer days and swinging on my Grandma Mobley’s front porch [or Aunt Vera’s or Aunt Laura’s] in rural south Georgia where I grew up.
Jonell Harrison
Brundidge, Alabama
“Like Gramma’s House” blog
https://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com
This would be the greatest conference to attend! I think it will be very intimate! I love the speakers and think a good ol’ southern conference is a great idea! I have a confession, I like Yankee tea! Yes, unsweetened tea is for me, but I’m southern to the core! Really! Thanks for hosting this amazing giveaway! I’m fixin’ to cross my finger and toes as soon as I finish typing this! 🙂
Saturday learning and creating with sessions and some amazing demonstrations! Sunday the committee has a fun thrifting day planned. It’s going to be two days you don’t want to miss.
I almost hate to comment because I can’t come. A friend’s daughter is getting married that weekend, and though blog conferences look fun, I’m a certified wedding junkie and won’t miss it for the world.
Congrats on being asked to speak, Heather. What an honor!
Fingers crossed! Love the south because I live here!!! ; ) Love the chance to win!! Love, Me
Bless your heart for doing this give-away and please count me in the draw. My favorite thing about the South is the manners (not to mention my drawl). My son works in New York City and is always receiving such nice compliments on his manners (makes this southern Momma proud!)
Congrats on being a speaker with some great ladies! Yes ma’am, I would love to go the this conference and meet some of my favorite blogging ladies. What do I love about the South? There’s so darn much! That’s why I’ve spent my whole cotton pickin’ life here! How about…biscuits and gravy; sweet tea; mint juleps; cowboy boots; and cowboys too;); SEC football; gosh I could go on and on.
Anyway. Pick me! I need to go to this! I’ve got a real hankerin’ to go!
Take care, y’all!
Angie
I’m a Kentucky girl! And after living in South Carolina (nice!) and Ohio (yankees!) I’ve found that I love hot summers & a little bit of snow in the winter. Love being close to family & friends. Love Kentucky traditions like the derby & Kentucky basketball. And, of course, I love sweet tea! Would also love to go to the Southern Bloggers conference! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m a northern girl, but LOVE everything about the South, but especially the warmth and hospitality of its people! Hoping to make a move down in the next year! YAY!
I’m not a blogger yet, but am itching to go this conference. So pick me!
Thanks for doing the giveaway!
Hi, Heather and Vanessa
I love the south so much, because the people are so friendly and helpful. My mom jokes with me, because I was born in NYC, but I love the South. LOL Love to make it to the conference, so I can learn from ya’ll! Have a great weekend.
Vanessa
The best thing about the South is Alabama Crimson Tide football! I’m new to the blogosphere, so I would love to go!
My favorite thing about the south is living here…with all the people I love!
It is hard to choose one reason….sweet tea, cookouts, manners & smiles,the different seasons collards, but most of all — sitting on my screen porch without the mosquito bites! Love, Love your blog.
I grew up in Florida (which is NOT the South) and then moved up to Raleigh NC when I was in my 30’s with my family. The people are warm and welcoming and loving. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!!! ~Linda
Community and connecting. Our vision was that our blog would be a place where people would gather to inspire and be inspired and perhaps feel encouraged along the way. We pictured folks coming out of their homes, coffee cups in hand, and meeting us there…At the Picket Fence!