Last year, my sweet friend Jenny (Southern Savers) and I had a dream.  A dream to bring the topics that we are passionate about on our blog, and bring them in real life to our readers. Our desire was that you felt inspired, empowered and equipped to turn the every day mundane into something magical.

What resulted was our first annual Becoming Conference.  A weekend designed to bring encouragement, refreshment and tangible ideas for becoming more frugal, creative and purposeful in our day to day lives.

As women,  many of us desire to be more intentional with our time and financial resources;  more intentional with our family and homes, but aren’t sure how to make that happen.

From personal finance, meal planning, entertaining on a budget, thrifting, home decor, photography, fashion,  trash to treasure, and more, our goal was to revolutionize the way we think, not just about our finances, but our homes. If it came to saving money, re-purposing, or creating, we covered it. This year we are expanding even more by including photography, hair, make up and fashion, as well as an optional hands on Furniture Painting and Crafting Workshop that will take place on Friday afternoon (at an additional cost).

As we gather from all walks of life, we will tackle some of those day to day issues that typically seem mundane, and invite you to join us as we create magic.

Becoming 2012 takes place Sept. 21 – 22 in Asheville, NC. Since we are all about being intentional with our finances, the cost for the entire conference will once again only be approximately $100 (based on a standard room double occupancy). This includes the conference fee, three meals and hotel accommodations.

We will not be opening reservations until July 10th, so if  you would like to be updated on new announcements and registration info, feel free to sign up for our Email newsletter and Becoming Facebook page, so you don’t miss out on anything. Last year, we sold out the event in the first day, and assume that could happen again.

Please read here for the breakdown of rooms and pricing, along with specific registration details.

I’m so thrilled to share our speaker line up for Becoming 2012. See their detailed bio at our Becoming Conference site.

  • Jenny, from Southern Savers (Coupon, Deals, and encouragement)
  • Jen, from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam (that’s me, Tackling Meal Time Madness/Ten Minute Dinners, 80% off Living (Personal Finance & Thrifting Treasures), Family Traditions)
  • The Nester, from The Nesting Place (Home Decor)
  • Angela, from Button Bird Designs. (Trash to Treasure Crafting)
  • Dawn, from My Home Sweet Home (Photography – making your every day pictures into memories, photos as art)
  • Kate, from The Small Things Blog (Hair, Make up and Fashion)
  • MJ and Trish, from Huelogy (Furniture Re-purposing and Painting)
  • and Rachel, who balances much (like eleven children), but no blog. (my sister in love, and Mother Extraordinaire)

My $5 tablescape created by grabbing “trash” around my home and turning then into treasures hours before the conference.

Just a peak at the amazing ideas you will receive from our gifted DIY and home decor bloggers.

More inspiration from Angela’s Create. Re-purpose. Redo workshop.

You’re getting excited now, aren’t you?

Sharing a bit about Balancing Meal Time Mountain, cutting the food budget and my Ten Minute Dinner philosophy.

I’m wearing my $10 Frugal Fashionista outfit that I never did put up on the blog.

My wonderful co-host, Jenny, who joined me on this risk taking journey. What a beautiful thing it was, with a bit of bedlam mixed in, of course.

Last year, it was difficult for me to try and summarize what this weekend would look like in a few paragraphs, so I did a quick video describing it. Even though this year’s conference will have so much more, for some of you who are “visual” learners, feel free to watch it to get a taste for what is ahead.

We can’t wait to meet you!

(If reading through email, to view the video click through to the blog.)

Photos courtesy of Ruth