Dancing with the Chairs

Meade Design Group needed a break after a long week of working on great projects for great clients. Also, it's tradition that Meade Design Group's practices the art of "Willy Nilly" the last Friday of October to commemorate my birthday - October 31st.

 

Combining the gracious style of Meade Design Group team, the influence of reality TV, a touch of Beyoncé, and setting it all at Meade Design Group's studio gives you this memorable moment: Dancing with the Chairs.

 

 

 

Last years official “Willy Nilly” moment - A MEADE DESIGN GROUP MODERN FABLE

 

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The Ghosts of Halloween Past: Advertising Mascots

Every year we have a crazy adult (if you can call us "adults") Halloween party with a theme. We usually start at our house & then get a limo out into Georgetown where the streets are mobbed with costumed-people. I just LOVE IT!!!! (This year, being pregnant, I just wasn't up for the crazy night out, so we had a fun kiddie one instead.) But, I thought I'd share with you one of our past themes: advertising mascots. The first one up is the Sunmaid Raisin Girl:

The box of raisins inspired the whole party. I've always thought my friend Lindsey looks like the Sunmaid Raisin girl & would always suggest she dress up as her for Halloween. Then, I thought of all the other advertising logos & how my other friends could dress up as them. Here's Lindsey, aka "The Sunmaid Raisin" girl in her costume I made from Goodwill finds. (The bonnet is the sleeve of a red button-down shirt and her corsette is from a suit.)



And next is Chiquita Banana:Marcela's costume is AMAZING. She paper mache'd the basket on her head & meticulously glued all the fruit down. She was such a trooper & it stayed on all night!!!! I made her dress out of cheap t-shirts from Michael's:



And here's our Chiquita's husband, Juan Valdez:



Billy, AKA "Juan Valdez" actually made his entrance to the party by knocking on the window and handing in a cup of coffee... It was perfect!!! The mustache got a bit crooked as the night went on & Billy is just hysterical:

And who can forget the Land O Lakes Butter Girl?
Mo was adorable!!!

And even though she's underage, we decided to let the Morton salt Girl join the party.

Erin was perfect! Check out that little mary-jane-clad foot kicked up just like the real Morton Salt Girl:

And we can't have a party without the beer! (ok, we totally can, but let's just pretend! ;)

Here I am as the St.Paulie Girl with a costume made from Goodwill finds:

(I'd originally tried making a "Chicken of the Sea" costume but it was just way too hard to walk around in!) And of course my husband, Sam Adams, was there to help host:

Here he is posing with his friend The Quaker Oats Guy (married to the Morton Salt Girl- what an age gap!! shocking!! ;):

There were a few more gusts I don't have pictures of .. argggg.. Anyway, we've had lots more of these crazy parties & I'll share some more next year. I can't tell you enough how much fun I have on Halloween. We usually start planning in September and my best friends & their husbands come in from out of state. Everyone stresses like crazy about not "having a costume" and in the end they always look awesome. I'm so lucky to have friends who will go along with my silly plans & I love them for it.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

xoxo,

lauren

ps- the hanging scarecrow wasn't visible at night so no one noticed it (phew! ;) and the kids loved the ghost & taking pictures with him.

I hope it's not Too Creepy...

I still haven't set up all the indoor & food pretties & don't know if I'll have the time to take pics so I thought I'd post a quick peek of our outdoor "spookies" as Christian calls them. We have a big tall ghost (made from those plastic cheapie table cloths) who isn't so scary and a hanging scarecrow who looks pretty real & has been freaking me out all day in our back yard. (He's in the background of the pic above too.):

My poor next door neighbor called me this morning asking if I was trying to give her a heart attack!!! oops!! Anyway, hope the toddler moms aren't too weirded out.
Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! :)

mu-hu-hahahahahahaha,

lauren

The Olympic Torch in Victoria BC

 

Today the Olympic Torch started the rally around Canada in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.  Victoria, British Columbia was the starting point and all the community has come together to prepare for this very special day. 

 

We were very fortunate that the Olympic Torch passed by our studio earlier today.  

 

The city placed these cool banners all around and we are lucky to see them every day from our window.

 

 

After a long wait and some delay, finally the torch passed by the studio.

 

 

 

 

 

Torch Design

Inspired by Canada; Made for Canadians

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A little bit of history…

 

The 2010 Olympic Torch, designed and manufactured by Bombardier in collaboration with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), is a symbol of the 2010 Winter Games, and will carry the Olympic Flame across Canada on its 45,000-kilometre journey. Twelve-thousand torchbearers will hold an Olympic Torch as they move through 1,037 communities across Canada.  Over 90 per cent of the Canadian population will have an opportunity to see the beauty of the Olympic Torch and experience the warmth of the Olympic Flame.

 

Designer/Manufacturer: Bombardier/VANOC

Inspiration: Canada’s open land, vast potential and smooth, fluid lines left in the snow and ice from winter sports

Height: 37.125 inches / 94.5 centimetres

Weight: 3.5 pounds / 1.6 kilograms

Materials used: Stainless steel, aluminum and sheet moulding compound

Burn time: At least 12 to 15 minutes

Fuel used: Blend of Propane, Isobutane and Hydrocarbons

 

“Vancouver 2010 – Official Olympic Site”

 

 

“When they hold it in their hands, I want them to be proud.”  - Leo Obstbaum, director, Design

For Leo Obstbaum and the design team that developed the 2010 Olympic Torch concept, the project was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 

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Sleek lifestyle on the Main Beach, QLD

A typical Queenslander Gem

Property Summary

Category: Townhouse

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 4

Garage: Triple

Close to: Brisbane: 70km (direct line)

Features: Inground Pool, Open Fire Place, Ensuite, Alarm, Ducted Vacuum, Intercom, A/C, Over 4 levels, Lift, wet bar and bbq, keyless entry, wine cellar, views over Broadwater

This is another amazing home.
Main Beach is def the premier location on the Gold Coast.

Just check out the pendant light fitting below, I like that!

Very Slic Kitchen indeed!

And wouldn't you love a sauna/shower room like this!

Of course there's outdoor entertaining like BBQ and Pool to enjoy the Queensland lifestyle!

And I wonder if the house comes with the cars... hmmm

AND what did the Agent say?

REFLECTIONS ON MAIN

3 bedroom townhouse for sale in main beach

Features:

• Inground Pool, Open Fire Place, Ensuite, Alarm, Ducted Vacuum, Intercom, A/C, Over 4 levels, Lift, wet bar and bbq, keyless entry, wine cellar, views over Broadwater

2/28 LENNIE AVENUE, MAIN BEACH One of the best in Main Beach North facing with four levels of exclusive, elevator-accessed living, this exquisite villa makes the best of a luxurious Main Beach lifestyle. An incredibly versatile layout boasts every conceivable luxury. From the street drive down the driveway to the private basement level which accommodates a three-car garage; marble fitted laundry (with Miele washing machine and dryer), a fully climate controlled wine cellar (1000 bottles) with bar fridges and a tasting area, and plenty of storage for tools, golf clubs etc or even an in-house gym – all serviced by the lift. At the street level (ground floor) a large automated front gate introduces you to the property then invites you across the stunning glassed water feature and tropical garden to the front entrance. Unwind by the lounge-room fire in winter or pull back the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors onto the private outdoor tropical garden and entertaining area with calming waterfall. A gourmet’s delight, the kitchen has all Miele appliances, including a large 90cm oven, micro combi oven, warming drawer, dishwasher and large range hood. The stove tops feature both gas and electric elements plus an electric grill. Also on this floor you’ll find a ‘his and hers’ office with adjoining bathroom. Three stunning bedrooms are located on the second floor. The master has its own dressing rooms and ensuite with toilet and bidet, huge marble bath and double shower, plus two balconies. The second and third bedrooms are split by their own bathroom with separate entry from each room. Relax on the north facing deck of the third floor with a glass of champagne in the pool, or in winter, turn on the hot tub. Entertain or barbecue with stunning views over the Broadwater. Have a sauna or use the steam room with a cool dip later in the pool – the choices are unlimited! Also on this floor is a huge television and casual lounge / dining area with another full kitchen and bar area. Perfect for everyday living or casual entertaining. Other features include: C-Bus electrics, air conditioning, heating, ceiling fans, central vacuum, security alarm and CCT video, video intercom, remote controlled garage and gates, AMX System throughout, three Sony plasma TVs, Bose sound systems, DVD/CD/Video interface, superior quality finishes and fittings, marble floors and benchtops throughout. If privacy is important then this home is a must to inspect.

WOWEE!

A Crazy Lady on Halloween

So it's around 5 am and I've been up not being able to sleep for a couple of hours--- not sure if it's the pregnancy, the cold, or the fact that sometimes I just can't shut my brain off. But anyway, here I am up & thinking about all that needs to be done realizing it just can't happen!

I finally gave up pretending I was going to go back to sleep and started some work but I had to drop a quick post in to say I won't be able to post my kitchen today. I'm sorry & don't mean to dangle a good "before & after," I just simply can't get it all done. I had so many plans for this Halloween too!! I'm returning the fabric I bought for Christian's Max (from Where the Wild Things Are) and he's now going as a store-bought "honey bear"- as he says. The package said "honey bear" on it and I guess one of us read it out loud and now he's not just a "bear" anymore.) I've bitten off more than I can chew lately and have decided that some things just won't get done. hahah like this: (Southern Living)

I also wanted to do the ghost ring that so many of you gave me ideas on.. but when I saw the price on the styrofoam balls ($13 each!!!) I gave up on that... We have one spooky ghost now in my woods and I will post photos of our Halloween party prep later today or tomrorow. (If we can get it all done..) We also hung a very scary man/ scarecrow guy in a tree back in our woods and he looks really life-like so I'm hoping the cops don't show up to investigate. (And that my mommy friends don't get too weirded out.)

I'll be back as soon as I can to post Halloween party pics. It's going to be one of those days where we will be simply giving up at some point because there's no possible way to get all that I have planned done in time. ah vell!! I will have a nice cold rootbeer to celebrate my favorite holiday:

THAT I can handle ;)

xoxo,

lauren

A Workspace to Love: Nate Berkus

I could spend hours on the Nate Berkus website. Hours. His spaces are incredible: natural and clean often with a hit of some great graphic pattern. Lots of great sculptural pieces. He's one of my FAVORITES & "DESIGN GREAT" to me!!



In this space I'm loving:


-The chrome Chippendale Chair. Found a pair here :

-The sawhorse glass top worktable: (Check out Copy Cat Chic for some great readily available options)

-The Rug: (haha how small is that image?! I'm no computer whiz!) Of course we know how great & affordable Dash & Abert's Rugs are:

-The raw concrete (I think?) walls. Check out Nelya's basement redo here and her concrete wall: (Photo taken by Nelya at Head Over Heels)

And in the end I'm also just crazy over the styling of the "messy" desk. (My desk never looks this good when it's messy.) The tulips are the bow on top of everything. I love what greenery or fresh flowers do for a space:

Have a great day & I'll be posting our finally-finished-kitchen today or tomorrow!!! (it's pretty gloomy out so pics might be rough! ;)

xoxo,

lauren