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Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
With the recent release of the Polish editon of Martha Stewart Living, I thought I'd share some images of the Japanese magazine that was issued in the Land of the Rising Sun in 2002. I have a few copies of the magazine, two of which were given to me by my friend Kenn. The magazine, called "Martha", is much bigger than "Living" and costs more, too. Each issue sold for about $13 US. I'm still not clear about whether the magazine is still in print. I've sent a few inquiries to Omnimedia about it, which went unanswered. If anyone knows, please let me know.
This is the cover of the first issue that was released in January, 2002. One interesting feature is that the magazine opens from what we consider to be the back cover. In other words, the back cover is actually the front cover of "Martha."
Inside the first issue is a six-page spread introducing readers to Martha Stewart with a biography and photographs of Martha through the ages.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Martha Stewart has been refused a visa to Britain because of her criminal convictions for obstructing justice, the Daily Telegraph has learned.
The lifestyle guru, convicted four years ago in the US for obstructing justice, was planning to speak at the Royal Academy and to hold meetings with several figures in the fashion and leisure industry, including Jasper Conran, and was due to travel within the next few days.
The refusal by the UK Border Agency was sent to Ms Stewart, aged 66. A spokesperson for the business magnate said: "Martha loves England and hopes this can be resolved and that she will be able to visit soon."
She added that Ms Stewart has many friends in Britain, which she has visited numerous times.
A cook, designer and publisher, Ms Stewart was once called "the definitive American woman of our time" and once collaborated with Wedgwood on a range of crockery.
A British government official called the decision "an own goal" given the transatlantic business and goodwill her visit could generate.
"It is a bit silly given some of the other people allowed into the country," the official added.
It was not clear if Ms Stewart had been singled out or was a victim of a blanket rule imposed by the new agency. In 2004 she served five months in prison for lying to federal agents investigating the sale of shares shortly before they fell sharply in value.
The UK Border Agency said it would not comment on individual cases. A spokesman added: "We continue to oppose the entry to the UK of individuals where we believe their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good or where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offences abroad."
Martha has issued a statement on her blog from Poland, where she is visiting without any visa hassles: "Because I cannot yet go to England because of my visa situation, I am leaving Warsaw to go to Prague for a bit of sightseeing, exploring, and research. We are hoping that the visa situation will be cleared up in time for me to fulfill my business obligations in England next week. We will keep you posted."
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Thanks to Pru for the heads up.
The introduction of the new toolset is part of MSLO's larger strategy to extend its wedding franchise, which includes the award-winning Martha Stewart's Weddings magazine, extensive online content on marthastewart.com and weddings-related books such as Weddings by Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart's Wedding Cakes. The Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's is the No. 1 brand on Macy's bridal registry.
Now, with these free and easy-to-use tools, couples and wedding planners can turn to marthastewart.com to plan and manage their entire wedding experience from start to finish. The new tools include:
- My Budget -- easily track payments and expenses
- My Guests -- draft or import the invite list and then track RSVPs, invitations
and gifts
- My Seating -- build and manage the seating chart by dragging and dropping people into their chairs
- My Timeline -- generate a personalized timeline based on wedding date
- My Checklist -- manage tasks and keep track of wedding details
- My Vendors -- save, rate and recommend favorite vendors from the vendor search tool
These tools join an existing vendor search function that was introduced on marthastewart.com earlier this year, providing access to thousands of wedding vendors nationwide and allowing couples to easily locate vendors in their geographic area.
"We're thrilled to be providing access to such a rich array of wedding-planning tools. This new offering provides a seamless experience, making us even more attractive to brides, grooms, wedding planners and marketers.
It also strengthens our position in the space as we grow our Weddings franchise online and in print," stated Wenda Harris Millard, MSLO Co-CEO and President of Media. "WeddingWire's expertise will also enable us to offer similar tools and features across our Internet sites."
The introduction of the wedding-planning toolset is the result of MSLO's investment in WeddingWire, a localized wedding platform that combines an online marketplace with planning tools and a social community, announced in February 2008.
"Our collaboration with MSLO is off to a strong start. Together we have created an unparalleled offering that benefits our rapidly expanding community of local wedding vendors, and engaged couples, who can now access these cutting-edge tools on marthastewart.com," said Timothy Chi, Chief Executive Officer of WeddingWire.
Marthastewart.com/weddings is an ideal destination for couples preparing for their nuptials. In addition to the new planning tools, brides-to-be can access creative ideas from the award-winning Martha Stewart's Weddings magazine, gain expertise at the "Brides Guide" blog written by Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller, view photo galleries ranging from vibrant floral centerpieces to stunning gowns, watch wedding segments from The Martha Stewart Show, browse decorations and favors from Martha Stewarts Crafts or view registry items from the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy's.
Additionally, Hilton Family e-Events has signed on as a charter sponsor of www.marthastewart.com/weddings. The Hilton Family will be promoting their e-Events booking tools that allow users to book group accommodations to their family of brands and U.S. hotel locations.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Classic Embroidery Patterns, the first in a series of embroidery designs produced by MSLO and SVP Worldwide, provide designs for monogramming and frame, border, and corner artwork that allow for further enhancement and personalization of sewing and embroidery projects. These patterns include Scallop, Laurel, and Twist, three simple, graceful embellishments inspired by timeless embroidery patterns, as well as an elegant font--custom-designed to Martha's specifications--for creating clean, beautiful monograms.
Martha Stewart, Founder of MSLO, stated: "Adding a monogram or embroidered detail is a simple way to give your work a distinctive finishing touch. It's still one of my favorite ways to make my creations more personal."
Not one of Martha's designs, but it SO could be!
Ms. Stewart unveiled her new line of embroidery designs while speaking at the 22nd Annual Husqvarna Viking International Dealer Convention in San Antonio, Texas, where the world's new top of the line HUSQVARNA VIKING DESIGNER DIAMOND sewing and embroidery machine was launched. Ms. Stewart was presented with the very first DESIGNER DIAMOND machine.
"The new Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machine is ideal for sewers and quilters," said Ms. Stewart. "It is an excellent, high-quality machine that is truly a pleasure to use and offers many wonderful features to enhance any project and ensure the most beautiful results."
In addition to the embroidery and monogramming designs, each Martha Stewart Embroidery kit will provide a booklet featuring instructions for recreating the projects featured on the packaging as well as inspiration and ideas for creating unique projects. Suggested templates for formatting letters with various frames, borders, and corners will also be included.
"Martha Stewart has elegantly combined her love of sewing and rich history of embroidering her own projects with this new inspiring collection," said Don Fletcher, CEO of SVP Worldwide. "Whether a new or experienced sewer, the easy to use yet intricate detailed designs will enhance and personalize any sewing project."
The exclusive line of Martha Stewart Embroidery designs will be available this summer where HUSQVARNA VIKING, PFAFF, and SINGER products are sold.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The front cover
The student editorial staff visited the MSL offices in midtown on several occasions, listening to presentations from editorial and art departments and spending one-on-one time with editors.
"We had big meetings in the beginning, showing them just how it works, and then we said, 'Okay, now you guys go back and come up with counterparts for your magazine,'" says Boodro, adding they also sent the kids magazines to get them planning the overall direction of the publication. "We wanted to be encouraging and make sure they met certain standards, but we wanted it to be their magazine," he says. "And now that it's done, it truly is."
On set at the Martha Stewart Show, Martha is shown with editor Michael Boodro at center, surrounded by some of the students and school staff who helped put the magazine together.-Reporting by New York Daily News.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The resignation of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia CEO Susan Lyne last week has me very curious about the mood at the company. It also has me asking whether Martha Stewart should return as CEO and Chairman of the company she founded.
She can apply to the SEC to return to those positions in 2011. The SEC barred Martha from running the public company for a period of five years after her criminal sentence had been served and she is currently not allowed to direct the company. She is currently working in creative capacities as the company's founder.
It seems to me that MSLO has been in turmoil since Martha stepped down before her criminal trial, despite some very exciting and excellent new product launches, consistently excellent magazines (with high subscription levels) and a moderately-successful daytime television show.
In the last two months alone, however, the company has lost its editorial director (Margaret Roach) its CEO (Susan Lyne) and a roster of editorial talent.
Decorating editorial director Page Marchese Norman and her deputy, Shane Powers, as well as books and special projects editor Amy Conway and Weddings beauty, health, and fitness editorial director Elizabeth Graves are all leaving MSLO of their own free will, with no word about where they may be going. Debra Bishop, most recently vice president and design director at Martha Stewart Weddings, is also leaving MSLO after 11 years to be the creative director of More magazine.
Also in the last year, the company's two new publishing initiatives failed and folded: Blueprint magazine closed up shop after 8 issues and the Martha Stewart Newsletter wrapped up after only three.
What's going on?
Wall Street analysts, too, have not really been singing the praises of the company lately. In fact, they haven't been singing its praises since 2002, when Martha was on top. It's a bit disconcerting.
JP Morgan analyst Michael Meltz downgraded shares of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. last week, citing a difficult advertising environment and the recent departure of Susan Lyne. He lowered the company to "Neutral" from "Overweight" in a client note last Wednesday because of a slump in the advertising market.
Knowing Martha, she will likely apply to run the company again when the time comes. But by then she will be 70 years old, and I'm not positive those executive roles will appeal to her as much. She has said recently that she enjoys the free time she has now to be more creative, to work on the farm, to travel and to develop new ideas. Jumping back into the frenzied roles of CEO and Chairman of a public company may not be so appealing by 2011.
I think the company is a marvelous one. It's the only company I really pay attention to, to be honest. I want it to succeed, but I'm concerned. And I wonder if it will take Martha's full-time leadership to make real changes and provide much-needed stability.
Please share your thoughts.
Friday, June 13, 2008
This is an ornately carved wall mount, framed in mahogany, that once hung in the parlour of a wealthy Englishman in the 1800s.
The Bata Shoe Museum is home to thousands and thousands of shoes, from the earliest known example (over 5,000 years old) to the latest models. The shoe above is a jewel-encrusted shoe once worn by Indian royalty. You'll also find shoes worn by Elvis Presley, Princess Diana, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe, Elton John and numerous other celebrities, musicians and dancers.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Martha, the Bonwitt model. (Late 1950s)
Martha, the Connecticut caterer in her old kitchen at Turkey Hill, 1982.
The gardener by the pool at Turkey Hill, 1988.