Breathing Space Retreat: Day 1

 

this last weekend i had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to go to the Breathing Space Blogger Retreat in Daybreak.
i have to admit that at first i was really nervous to go.
it was my first night away from Elijah ever and i started crying once i left.
but once i got there, checked in, and saw all my friends i was a little more relieved.
and it was absolutely amazing so as much as i missed my little family, it was definitely an unforgettable weekend!

the retreat was held in Daybreak and it is gorgeous!! it’s straight from a picture book with beautiful houses and a wonderful community. if it wasn’t for the fact that we are poor college students, i would move there in a heartbeat!

we even got to stay in one of Daybreak’s gorgeous model homes.
this one below to be exact:
it was amazing!!

and it’s even more gorgeous inside!!
i’m still reeling from it.
too bad all my pictures ended up being blurry… but just trust me. it was incredible.

after checking in the first day, we went straight to our first classes.
Gentri and i first went to the Style Please class taught by Becki from Whippy Cake.
the class was really great and i learned that i have an oval face, with Summer coloring, and i am a dramatic style :)
but besides that, Becki taught us to own our style and let our personalities shine through.
she is such a great example of confidence and loving our bodies no matter what our shapes, colors, or sizes.
plus, Becki is on of the funniest, cutest, sweetest girls i have ever met!
i want to be her! 

from there, we went to the cupcake class that was taught by the one & only Megan from Sweet Tooth Fairy.
she.is.AMAZING!
when i first signed up, i thought it was just going to be about learning tips and tricks on how to make beautiful cupcakes. and even though she did teach us some techniques, she taught us how no matter our circumstance, we can make ordinary things extraordinary if we just try.
she has had no baking/culinary training but now has a huge successful bakery and recently won Cupcake Wars on Food Network.
i loved learning from her and could really eat her cupcakes all day!

 

after the cupcake class, we hurried to our amazing model home and got ready really fast for the Stepford Wives themed dinner party that was going on later that night.
the party was PERFECT!!
we had Italian soda mocktails, garden party-style decorations, lots of beautiful 50’s inspired outfits, incredible food, a photo booth, and more!
we even heard from Dawn Meehan who competed in the last season of Survivor at the age of 39.
holy.cow. she is incredibly inspirational!
it was so cool to hear her story and learn about her experience.

[Dawn from Survivor]


[some of the event coordinators and DIY bloggers for the Daybreak DIY Blogger home challenge:
Aly from Style Please, Char from Crap I’ve Made, Jen from Tatertots & Jello, Shelley from House of Smiths, Lara from Less Cake More Frosting, Amy from The Idea Room, Cameron from Daybreak, and Kathy from Danish Mama]


[back: Nichelle, me, Jenny, Gentri; front: Elise, Ashley, Alycia, Savannah]


[Char, me, Amy, and Jen; i basically died after taking this picture cause i couldn’t believe these fabulous ladies would really take a picture with me!]


[Gentri, me, and Becki; died again]

and of course the night wouldn’t be complete without an awesome dance party!
:)

the retreat was amazing and this is just the first day!
i have so much more to share for the second day.
so stay tuned…

[all professional photos courtesy of Jenny K Photography]