Photo by Patrick Butler
What do you do when you receive an invitation to meet the editors of Martha Stewart Omnimedia? First, you re-read the email making sure it’s addressed to you. Next, you call your husband at work talking so fast with such excitement he can hardly understand a word you’re saying. Lastly, you book a round trip ticket to New York City and respond to the invitation with a big fat “YES, I’LL BE THERE!!!” while pure adrenalin presses down on every letter of your laptop setting spell check into a total frenzy.
Photo by Patrick Butler
Last Thursday, members of Martha’s Circle blogging network were invited to meet the editors of MSLO and walk through a private tour of their offices. When I arrived to the building I was happy to see fellow food blogging friends, Olga of Sassy Radish, Aran of Cannelle-Vanille, and Matt and Adam of Matt Bites. As we toured the offices I was struck by how fashionable every employee was dressed – think Devil Wears Prada.
Photo by Patrick Butler
Yummy Treats for an Upcoming Photo Shoot. Photo by Patrick Butler
We had the opportunity to check out the test kitchens, photo studios, and take a great look at the props room. As we were walking down the hall, who would we see on the other side of the glass engaged in a meeting? None other than Martha Stewart. It was so surreal. Here we were and there she was. She came out to greet us and told our group she would see us after the meeting. She was as beautiful and gracious as I imagined.
Photo by Patrick Butler
As our tour came to an end, Martha re-appeared before our group right in front of me. I took the time to tell her what an amazing influence she has been in my life since I was in high school. From there we were ushered into the much anticipated and talked about MSLO Blogger’s Night Out Party.
Photo by Patrick Butler
It was everything you would expect it to be – a party straight out of a MS Living magazine. With a sweeping view of the city, there were plenty of food and drinks to keep every party goer happy. There was also tables set up with editors and employees representing each arm of MSLO from food, design, weddings, crafts, radio, and television. Guests were treated to a night of fun, makeovers, and nice swag (goodie bags) to remember the evening by.
Photo by Patrick Butler
As much fun as I had, I couldn’t help but think about how fortunate I was to have had the opportunity to say “thank you” to Martha for being such a powerful source of inspiration in my life. I still recall all the crafts, cards, cookies, and wedding cakes I’ve made inspired by her books, show, and magazines. Everyone I knew wanted to be like Martha and here I was talking to her one-on-one. Incredible!
As I was leaving, I was stopped by the MSLO film team for a video segment. I haven’t seen it but if I remember correctly, I was very nervous and excited all at the same time.
Photo by Patrick Butler
Many thanks to all the editors and staff who made my New York City to see MSLO so wonderful. A special thanks to Mark Ganem for his gracious and fun spirit.
How wonderful for you! Martha may have been your inspiration all these years but you worked hard to earn that invitation, Alice. Keep up the great blog!
I swear to God….
DO we really even live on the same planet??
Just sayin’.
I’m so proud for your, Alice! Just being invited to the Martha Blogger party had me up dancing around like a crazy woman. I can’t even begin to imagine going on a tour with Martha Stewart herself!
Robyn
What an opportunity! It sounds like an amazing experience, definitely one that won’t be forgotten! 🙂
Sounds like a dream come true! It’s so heart warming to see a wonderful person like yourself enjoying the fruits of your hard work! You Go Girl!
What a fun experience. Glad you had such a great time.
hey alice! it’s indira’s mom. 🙂 just wanted to say how cool, exciting, awesome, amazing, etc. that you got to go on this trip! i know you work hard at everything you do and am so happy to hear that you had such a great time. school starts very soon…so i’m sure i’ll see you around.
Fantastic pics and story!! An honor for sure! LOVING that cookie tower lol
Thanks for sharing!
That is beyond cool! What an honor! I would love to meet Martha, she is a Queen!
Thanks you guys for your sweet comments. It was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime. I’m still pinching myself!
Congrats Alice! You deserve every success and happiness that comes your way! Martha ain’t got nothin’ on you 😉
That’s so awesome, Alice – what a fun and memorable experience! 🙂
What a wonderful time! Lucky girl!
Carmen
“She was as beautiful and gracious as I imagined.” – you know what’s funny, Alice? You described Martha that way, and I was just writing up my piece for the Big Summer Potluck, and that’s almost identical to how I described *you*.
Life is a whole bunch of interconnection, isn’t it? How you felt meeting Martha is how we all felt about meeting you on Saturday. What you spoke about rings true – you reap what you sow, so be nice! It’s really fantastic to know that Martha was as nice to you as you were to us.
You go Alice!
What a fantastic opportunity!
I was there too!! Such a wonderful evening. I bet your tour of the test kitchens was awesome too. Great dress!
Congratulations Alice! How incredibly exciting! & I think you looked pretty fashionable yourself ; )
So cool Alice!!! Looks like a great night.
Ah… Congratulations Alice! I would so love to meet Martha!!!
how did you keep so calm in that photo? I would have had the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face!
It’s awesome that you got to thank someone who inspired you to become who you are now. Definitely an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day!
That is so cool! I can’t imagine.
So exciting! That is a dream!
Oh wow!! thats absolutely wonderful!! congratulations Hun!
How very exciting! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Congrats.