Hot off the cutting room floor . A few highlights from the @stockmfgco weekend with @makersmark @fattire .Good memories made by the world class Chefs from so many of our favorite restaurants came to cook on open fire (in the rain) and under the stars @elchechicago & @lasirenachicago (John Manion)@honeybutterchi Andrew Brochu @mitocaya (Diana Davila)@rookietheband @metriccoffee + @virtuecider
(Does anybody know where to get a domesticated squirrel? Or if thats a thing?).Me: how did you get a baby squirrel to pose for you in a pumpkin?.My sis: fill it with nuts and wait…..I honestly dont know where she got the patience for this, but Charlie now wants a pet squirrel.(Thanks, auntie Amy)@amypoturnicki
In two months, Camp Wandawega will celebrate its 95th anniversary.15 years ago we found a small stack of old green brochures in a box in a storage closet. It described Wandawega Lake Resort as a place to sleep the sleep of the just… And a place to enjoy taste thrills at its supper club..Finding that little brochure would be the beginning of an obsession of collecting old Wisconsin tourism brochures every day since. We love them because – while the design and wardrobe may have changed – the activities they advertised have not. As it turns out, folks that come here still do the exact same things that those brochures advertised. Fish. Swim. Boat. Nature hike. Not advertised was sharing whiskey around a campfire (This never stopped – even through prohibition)..So when we got a call a couple months back from the Wisconsin Tourism Bureau we were so freaking excited. They wanted to know if it would be ok if they could feature camp in a new campaign to showcase what this state has to offer.That call represents a very personal milestone for us.Being recognized by the same state that closed us down so many times all those years ago underscores our efforts to bring back a little piece of history of Wisco that has never been celebrated before. This has always been a blue-collar joint on a tiny lake; never a proper destination. In the early years the only headlines were related to federal raids, arrests, and charges of a bawdy house of ill fame. .So heres to second chances – and the general belief that It IS possible to recreate a place, a thing … or even yourself – no matter what hand you where originally dealt..We are enormously proud to be part of this sweet dairy state, but its sweeter when that state you love, loves you back.The photos and film will launch in spring 2020 season – just in time to celebrate 95 years of vacationing like its still 1925.sneak peek of some of the feature…along with an original vintage green camp brochure. And the travel brochure that we recreated inspired by Wisconsin Dept of Tourism brochures of the 50s. (Youll find them in every room at camp).Thanks you @travelwisconsin #travelwi
WHAT BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER is a shared experience with your tribe.Looking back at all the different events weve designed/ hosted- the most memorable for us have been our Car & Bike events..TB to our favs:To launch the Wandawega Sportmanss edition @uralmotorcycles sidecar, we hosted motorcycle rallies here at camp and also with the SOHO HOUSE. But looking back- the most fun was co-hosting a car show / drive in theater with our friends at @sohohousechicago We love car and bike rallies, races and shows because it brings people together from all walks. (Harley riders puling up alongside Ducati fans… a retro 911 sharing a lot with a custom streetrod like my dad raced)..The most memorable events for us have been those that let us bring unlikely bedfellows together to bond over our obsession for wheels- be it two or four. (We dont discriminate)So its been a long time coming – but Were geeking out to finally be in plans to host our first-ever curated sports car show at camp for 2020). We cant wait to invite other car nerds to join us for some bonfire and bourbon time. CALLING FELLOW CAR FANATICS: This is your chance to dust off your garage project and meet us around the campfire.#staytuned Pics here:First shot Collage: our rag-tag group of camp restoration projects…..What weve learned is that it doesnt matter what you drive or ride as long as you love to it. Cars and bikes all over are like dog lovers- If we listen to each other, we find that our similarities outweigh our differences. .Pics: @motomucci @sohohousechicago @ironandair @revzilla @nostalgia_memoir._
Remember:What happens at camp…rarely stays at camp.Weve hosted some corporate retreats here – some of them were not allowed to mention – but over the years weve found one common denominator: Its always the ones you least suspectwho step up and go all Katniss on us at the archery range.Its the unassuming guy who just announced his retirement who shows up with a new beard and a well-worn axe to split wood like Grizzly Adams.Never underestimate that introverted guy in ITs ability to nail the hatchet bullseye first.Then theres always at least one unsuspecting nice girl whos name you can never remember who breaks out the bullhorn to serenade everyone with Cardi B (weve seen this more than once). Theyve either been waiting for this moment. Or never planned it and might be regretting it now… They ride up on the Harley you never knew they had. The one who reminds you of your great aunt rolls up in the vintage Porsche shes been restoring since high school and you dont even recognize her.Theres the intern who bakes like Rachel Ray and shows up in a homemade jumpsuit and leads a foraging workshop for edible bugs. .Coworkers are full of surprises.There is something very real and scary about getting out of our comfort zones that compels us to show a little more of who we are; that other side of us that we so deftly hide in the conference room.Nothing like gutting a trout with the lady from HR to get some perspective.Heres to getting uncomfortable and real in the best way bonding over a shotski with your boss.We love hosting our company crushes here. We know them for their innovations – but here, we remember them here for the things they do when their guards down.So to all of you who weve booked for the upcoming 2020 Season… Just remember: what happens here at camp will not only NOT stay here at camp-theres a high probability of earning you a new nickname, or be otherwise commemorated in some awkward way. .So come ready, but play responsibly.Photos here from a few of our past favorite company outings – that redefined companyPatagonia, Anthropologie, Studio Gang Architects, Shinola, Beam Brands, Lululemon,
When you only have 48 hrs in DC, these are the must-sees on a fall weekend:.1. VISIT Smokey Bear exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoo.2. SEE National Childrens Museum (thank you @crystalbowyer for the invite to serve on your experience board).3. GET a tour of the Capitol! (Grateful to our friend and fav news anchor @tanjababich for the private tour).4. STAY (CN Travellers Worlds Best)Welcomed with surprise room welcome gifts at our crush hotel @thelinehotel thank you @ismatu.daramy .5. EAT at the oldest (and best designed) saloon in D.C. @oldebbitt .6. EXPERIENCE the Library of Congress (it was so surreal to see where our camps books are officially registered).7. WALK The Ellipse in Presidents Park to see the Boy Scout Memorial .The surprise cherry on top was the kindness of a stranger who gave us VIP passes for the @nationals #WorldSeriesChampions Parade. (We discovered he is a VP at the event planning firm). We could not have cut through the 500,000 parade route visitors if it were not for your kindness (and magic access badges)- thx @hargroveexpOur speed trip was to witness a historic event – the grand opening gala of the brand new @NationalChildrensMuseum (off Pennsylvania Ave near The White House). Congrats to @hahnst of @ogilvy485 for making us all at @ogilvychicago with @gusadel look good – and DO good – with your amazing design work – for a place that really deserves it
Fall is our love language..So happy to have hosted @kindredvintage and family this past weekend.Makes us want to drink all the hot toddy, bake all the pumpkin seeds all day. Im always a little sad that this perfect little window of color cant last longer …..Photos. @catherine_dodgson @kindredvintage
We found this little cabin collapsed in the woods nearby on the lake…and hauled it to camp on a flatbed and a prayer to put her back together from roof to floor.She used to be our fishing shack, but has since been reincarnated again into our camp craft cabin.(Weve got some camp craft programming plans for it announcing soon)..Photos : @bobcoscarelli shot for Flea Market style magazine Models: charliegirl + @nicolemarietoalson mini-me
Fall in Wisconsin (our fav time of year).Tb to @countrylivingmag Halloween feature. A weekend of hay rack rides, bonfires, apple picking, canoe races and enough pumpkin pies to choke a horse.With these two beautiful humans@mattg0re @williammgolden #nevergetsold Photos @bjornwallander
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK.(When you cant because your keynote goes haywire). .Last week, I was asked to give an opening keynote on how Camp Style has influenced the broader world of Design. ..Anyone who has to present to a full house will tell you that their biggest fear is tech fails.This is how it went down:.- Keynote presenters notes wouldnt display (wing it)- Projector wouldnt connect (distraction convo)- Click share device wouldnt share (insert jazz hands)After a few false starts with technology working against us, It turned out to be pretty fun. As it turns out, one of the biggest highlights of talking to a hundred creatives, designers, students and camp style fansis getting to do it in the historic landmark gym of the School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy designed by architect Alexander Eschweiler. (Apparently, back in1911women had the option to go to a school to learn how to be a homemaker & housewife). ..Speaking in this space to this group (of primarily women)was a palpable reminder of how far weve all come. If those wall could talk, I think they would agree. I took our tech struggles as a sign that sometimes going analog is better than always relying on our devices to tell a story.I am grateful for the chance to share our collaboration for the #WandawegaHillhouse alongside @LaLuneCollection (this powerhouse couple have been @ralphlaurenhome s go-to for his custom camp furniture for 40 years). .What struck me most was the sheer number of folks who stayed on later to share their own stories, projects and creative entrepreneur dreams. That, combined with red wine and @presswaffles = best night ever.Thank you @amycarmandesign for the invitation. Your creative speaker series is an inspiration to us all. Id do this everyday if I could.photos: @aimeemazzenga @bobcoscarelli @amycarmandesign
