Inspired Retreat: Abundant Prettiness & Life Changing

Inspired Retreat: A place where creatives arrived with hopes and desires of improving their businesses, and left with exceeded expectations, and life changing results.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw my updates while I attended the Inspired Retreat, that’s hosted by Amber Housley. This time, it was once again held at the Evins Mill, in Smithville Tennessee. I have to say that my expectations were HIGH, but they were FAR exceeded, from the moment that I arrived. I can’t wait to show you a brief overview of what I was able to experience.

Inspired Retreat

Please note that all of the photos on this post, were taken by the most AMAZING person, and someone that I consider to be a Godsend and ultimate blessing in my life… Gina Zeidler. Whether she knows it or not, I truly believed she saved my life, when it comes to something that was destroying me, inside. Her compassion, listening ear, and advice, were priceless, and I’m not sure I can ever repay her for what’s she’s done for me. So please enjoy her beautiful photos below, and I’ll walk you through my experience of Inspired Retreat!

We’ve Arrived!!!

Upon arrival, each guest was greeted in an INCREDIBLY friendly way, and given an itinerary, & name tag… and then escorted to our cabins where we shared rooms with others that we had never met. (Talk about OUT of my initial comfort zone… but I must say, I left with new best friends because of this process, and so thankful that I roomed with them. I now even consider my roommates some of my closest friends.)

The Setting

The scenery along our walks back and forth from our cabins, to the main lodges, were constantly breathtaking…

Food

Then don’t even get me started on the FOOD. The FOOD, you all. Like, I thought I enjoyed going to Mexico for an all-inclusive vacation to eat anything I wanted. But really… the food here, totally took the lead on my list of “food loves.” Why? Frankly the food was crazy good, but also because it was so stinking pretty. And we all know how much I love, “pretty,” right!?

Ok, so I really like donuts… (obviously from the photo below), but the main courses, salads, and soups were incredibly delightful. Really.

Between each session, I swear there was some type of snack, food bar, or appetizer buffet that we could engorge ourselves in, if we wanted. The yogurt bar was by far one of my favorites… and I didn’t even eat a yogurt parfait. I literally just sat and stared at it. But look at them! Stinking. Adorable.

The Swag (Gifts)

So if you’re a blogger, then you may know that anytime you attend a conference, you can probably count on free swag. (Also known as conference party favors, freebies, etc.) I almost don’t even want to consider the free items that we received at Inspired, “swag.” The free gifts that we were given, literally EVERY time, we sat down in a class, session, or dining event… were mind-blowing. Planners, t-shirts, bracelets, stationary, coffee mugs, water tumblers, and the list goes on.

One of the t-shirts that we received was a gift from one of my favorites, the TomKat Studio! Aren’t they so adorable?

The Dinner Parties and Luncheons

I truly feel that I could go on and on about how adorable, breathtaking, and gorgeous, each dinner party and luncheon was. But I’d rather just show you a ton of photos of a few of the dining ambiances, to get a better idea of it’s gloriousness.

Creative Sessions

To unleash the creative sides of the attendees, we were able to participate in painting sessions, and perhaps explore that whole new side of our creativity.

The Classes

So I still ask myself:

How is it possible to attend a conference, that has AMAZING accommodations, FABULOUS food, and incredible speakers?

But the truth is, I learned SO much, listening to each and every one of the speakers that taught on a particular subject. Know what else? When they were done speaking, they came and sat down by you, chatted about your current struggles, and offered how they could help. So, so sweet.

The People

I was absolutely blown away with the kindness of people at Inspired. From the attendees, to the speakers… you never felt alone, left-out, or intimidated. I now consider so many of these people part of my online family, and I hope I get the chance to see each and every one of them in the near future, again.

My heart was and IS still so full after attending Inspired Retreat. Even though a few weeks have went by, I STILL implement the life changing strategies that I brought home, and STILL group text my roomies when I’ve had a bad day. My ultimate experience at Inspired Retreat can be summed up in two words…

“Life.Changing.”

So will I go back? You bet, and it can’t get here soon enough.