Matthew Mead’s Blog

With my new blog column, I can debut the cover of my fall book on entertaining … ENTERTAINING SIMPLE from Wiley.

The last few months have been a flurry of activity for me … and I am glad to finally have a space where I can share my thoughts and ideas about what is going on in my studio. We have been working hard on lots of holiday ideas and recently finished a new magazine that will be on news stands by September 1. It’s all about fresh ideas for Halloween. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results and can’t wait to share it all with you.

As I said, I’ve been busy… and I am thrilled about it. We just finished up some seasonal stories for early spring and summer for Country Home and have been hard at work on the projects we produce for Dove Chocolate Discoveries (its a new home-show-based business that sells great chocolate products as well as recipes and ideas of delicious ways to use their chocolate). What is really thrilling is my upcoming book on entertaining. I’ve been working on this project for the last two years. ENTERTAINING SIMPLE is the easiest and most fun way to gather friends and family at your home … with fresh and simple ideas and tips for everything from beautiful place settings to delicious homemade foods.

It debuts in the fall, so I was thrilled with the engaging autumn colors selected to bind such a gorgeous volume of ideas. It is beautifully illustrated with hundreds of full-color images, recipes, and how-to instructions for all the projects. And, of course, I’ll be handy to answer any and all your questions and provide my most expert advice.

I’ll be sharing a great deal on my blog … the most personal side of the work that I do … so you know what I’m creating at my studio, my weekend travels to find props, and how I manage the challenges of my day to day life. From time to time, I’ll share ideas for dinner, seasonal desserts, and what’s hot and collectible right now.

I want this to be a great forum to hear from all of you … engage your ideas, and keep you posted on what I am hoping to create for you at the newsstand. We’ll update you on book signings and lectures in your area and provide as many of our secret sources as possible so you can participate in making beautiful things for your family and your home.

This is my new volume on Halloween from Time, Inc., on newsstands everywhere on September 8, 2008. It is filled with the best ideas for the Halloween season made from items you have in your own home and supplies that can be gathered at your local crafts store or supermarket. I can’t tell you how much fun you will have with these ideas. You’ll want to keep it and reuse it from year to year. Its a new classic.

So, enjoy my new space to share, and I will look forward to hearing and reading all your comments - especially feedback on the new products and exactly what you would like to know about what I do and how I create. And please come back often to experience the bounty of ideas I have to share.

Happy life styling!

Matthew