
I was out of town at the fabulous Martha Stewart Living's 15th Anniversary Celebration this past weekend. There was laughter, tears, joy, and more! This is going to be an excessively long blog entry so just skip if Martha isn't an interest of yours.
First, the tears - I didn't get in to see the Martha show on Friday, despite standing in line for HOURS. I really hadn't thought for a moment I wouldn't get in, so I was a little teary as I walked through Chelsea.

An amazing lunch at Union Square Cafe restored my faith in my NCY trip. House-made pasta with lobster and orange oil. Lovely. I spent the rest of the day shopping up Broadway at yarn stores, antique shops, and dish stores. Happy girl.

The big event was all day Saturday at Pier 94 - which was transformed into a very Martha area - lots of grey, white and green. Martha came out and spoke for 90 minutes on the iconic images of the past fifteen years of the magazine. It was fabulous! She is an amazing speaker - no hesitations or ums and ahs. I took pages and pages of notes - I am not sure why - I was just feeling so inspired. Martha looked amazing. I saw her several times during the day and was happily surprised how positive and happy she seemed to be about the entire celebration. She obviously isn't an ice princess icon to her staff but is highly admired. She is also skinny skinny in person - much more so than on her show.

After she spoke, there were a number of stations to visit around the Pier - all of the different magazines under Martha Stewart Omnimedia were represented. I bought a pretty transferware cup and saucer at the "tag sale" and was questioning myself about wasting time waiting in line to pay, when in swept Martha, five bodyguard, her two French bulldogs (I kid you not), Charles Koppelman (her CFO) and various pr types. She walked right up to me and said, "What are you getting?" And in a total trance, holding the cup and saucer in each hand, stupidly replied, "A cup and saucer." I was stunned and excited and absolutely a dork. After saying, "lovely" she and her group swept on. I was congratulated by all in line next to me, but was stunned for several minutes.

I took one of the special workshops - "Good Things for the Holiday Table." There is nothing I like doing more than setting a pretty table - really, I know it's silly but my mother and grandmother set great tables and it's a point of pride to me to be able to do it to. Sadly, the class was really "crafty" and more about making little things for the table than the higher concept I was hoping for.

We deconstructed a pine cone only to reglue it together again in the shape of a flower. I'd much prefer to just have a pretty pine cone on the table. We justed pears with gold dust - again, I'd rather just have the pretty pair. We made fun candles with sheets of beeswax and cookie cutters - something my three year-old will dig. We did get cute aprons which made the class sort-of worth it.

After lunch, Kevin Sharkey, Eric Pike, and Gael Towey - all long-time Living editors, gave a presentation on their fifteen favorite decorating ideas. The three of them are SO knowledgeable and the real style mavens behind the magazine. Martha's new home in Bedford, NY is painted completely "sharkey" grey, and her new French Bulldog is also named Sharkey - he's definitely a big influence in her life. Eric Pike is known as Father Christmas at MSL and I wish he had had more time to talk about his Christmas spreads.

Martha's daughter Alexis and Jennifer Koppelman did their radio who live from the conference floor. Both were deadly gorgeous in person and signed a photo for me.
I am terribly behind at home and work so I'll blog more tomorrow about the rest of the day/trip to NYC. Off to the library!