I think it’s exciting to hear from inspiring designers and stylists and I love doing interviews with them when I get the chance.  There’s no better time than the holiday season to hear from one of my favorites, Matthew Mead.  Matthew is a stylist, writer, author, and photographer who’s been in the magazine and publishing industry for years and someone I had the pleasure to work with earlier this year. 

Matthew is the former style editor of Country Home magazine, and last year launched his own magazine, Holiday with Matthew Mead. Currently, Matthew is the official food photographer for the Associated Press and a regular style contributor to HGTV.com and Better Homes & Gardens publications. I asked Matthew to answer some questions for me and he graciously agreed.     

CG:  Tell us how you got started in the business of designing, styling, and eventually authoring your own publications?

MM:  I wrote a letter to Mary Emmerling, Queen of Country Style back in the late eighties and was lucky enough to meet her at her South Hampton Long Island cottage compound overlooking the Atlantic.  She offered me work on her new magazine MARY EMMERLING’S COUNTRY and that was the start of my career back in 1992.  I’ve worked in the industry steadily ever since… that led to books, magazines, the creation of my own brand of publications and products.   

CG:   Where do you look for inspiration for all of your projects or magazine shoots?

MM:  I am very drawn to vintage items, antiques, collectibles, colors… you know that about me… when we met at your home the first thing we did was go out antiquing.  Its in my blood, its my soul… I feel so intimately connected to the past, the flea market, the much loved and used items. 

 
   
CG:  The holidays are upon is and as the song goes it’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?  People often feel the stress of the season and can forget it’s more about the celebrations.  What are some tips you can share for effortless entertaining?

MM:  Keep it simple… have several small parties over the month with a few couples instead of one big party.  Serve foods that you love, keep it comfortable and casual.  Consider just desserts and specialty coffees, or appetizers and drinks.  I like to pile colorful fruits on a platter and add greens for a simple centerpiece.  Embellish napkin rings and create lots of votive candles by adding spices, cranberries or succulents.

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Greetings all, I hope you’ve enjoyed your turkey day with friends and family!  Black Friday is upon us and I’ll probably head out to do some shopping during actual daylight hours. If you’ve had your eye on a Silhouette electronic cutting tool, there’s a great deal that starts at midnight that I want to share with you.   

I’ve owned a Silhouette for over a year and it’s such great crafting tool. Last year, I made a seasonal noel pillow and here is this year’s version made with the very same Silhouette cutting tool.  I found a simple red velvet pillow at World Market for $10 and used the white heat transfer material to make this modern wish pillow.   

For the Black Friday discount, enter the promo code CENTSATIONAL at the Black Friday page for a discount on the Cameo starting at midnight and continuing through the 28th. If you use the code CENTSATIONAL, you’ll get a 40% discount off everything else in the Silhouette online store for crafting (excluding the Cameo, subscriptions, download cards, and gift cards). 

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Today is my second favorite holiday of the year and it’s all about three of the best things in life: tradition, gratitude, and food!  Today, I am thankful for so many things, for my family, for my friends, for my health, and all the little blessings that bring happiness everyday. Today I am thankful for those of you who continue to visit here, you make my dream job a reality and I am forever grateful to you.   

I’m so looking forward to the traditional meal we prepare every year, and the opportunity to spend the evening with family and friends. Today is a day of reflection and relaxation and I plan to savor every moment and morsel from the stuffing to the pie to the conversation around the table. I’m wishing all of my American friends the very same as we celebrate on this holiday.         

Cheers to good food and great memories!  Safe travels too. 

xo,

Oh, and Happy Birthday to my baby brother Nate today. How cool to have your birthday fall on Thanksgiving, he gets his own personal pumpkin pie all to himself.  Awesome.  

images: 1/2/3/4/5/6

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One more giveaway today before signing off for Thanksgiving! This afternoon two of my favorite designers Courtney and Lauren of kelly + olive are offering one of you their savvy design skills and a full room mood board! 

kelly + olive is an online decorating service for those struggling to have their spaces reflect their personal style. I’ve been reading their blog for more than a year and I always learn something from their fresh and fun loving approach to interior design. 

kelly + olive is offering one lucky reader a full room mood board ($350 value) which includes a 5-7 page presentation, including color consultation, collage of furniture suggestions, floorplan, plus suggestions for accessorizing and ideas for revamping old pieces, all within your budget.  What a great way to start the New Year with a design plan for one of your spaces! 

Here are some excerpts from mood board presentations for kelly + olive clients:

Bedroom Plan (final page):

Living Room Plan (final page)

If you need a roadmap to decorating one of your spaces, this is the giveaway for you!

Eligibility to win the full room mood board presentation from kelly + olive ($350 value):

1) Leave a comment stating which room in your home needs the most help.

2) For a second chance to win, link to this giveaway on either Facebook or Twitter, then leave a second comment telling where you linked (FB or Twitter).

Giveaway ends Friday November 25th at 8 pm PST, one winner, US only. By entering this giveaway, you agree to this site’s giveaway policy and Official Rules of Entry.

Good luck!

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Hello everyone, I know most of you are all in Thanksgiving prep mode, we are too!  I’ve got two great giveaways for you today, so take just a moment to enter!  The first is from Gussy Sews, the girl famous for her ruffled accessories so many of us love including some celebrities. I met Maggie at Blissdom two years ago and just love her startup story (it’s quite inspiring) and her signature style. 

Gussy’s one-of-a-kind designs are a hot commodity, and today is your chance to get your hands on some goodies from her shop. Each signature Gussy ruffle is machine sewn free-hand style, making each one unique and it adds that perfect little detail.  

Don’t miss her limited edition Christmas stockings too, so sweet! 

Eligibility to win one of two $50 shop credits to Gussy Sews: 

1.  Visit Gussy’s Shop and pick a favorite item then name it in a comment. 

2.  For a second chance to win, link to this giveaway on either Facebook or Twitter, then leave a second comment stating where you linked (FB or Twitter).

Giveaway ends Friday November 25, 2011 at 8 p.m. PST, two winners, US and Canada only.  By entering this giveaway you agree to this site’s giveaway policy and Official Rules of Entry.

Good luck!! 

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