Ringing the Bell at the NASDAQ!

Well, I certainly had a fun morning yesterday.  At 8:45AM, I arrived at NASDAQ MarketSite at Times Square in Manhattan and was greeted by quite a crowd.  The occasion was to make the big announcement of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s new collaboration with 1-800-FLOWERS.com.  And, what was exciting and so much fun for me, was getting to ring the opening market bell! I am really happy and proud to be working with CEO, Jim McCAnn and his 1-800-FLOWERS.com.  We are offering 85 gorgeous, seasonal flower arrangements and 16 potted plants available for same day delivery.  In addition to being impeccably fresh and elegant, each bouquet arrives in a lovely container, inspired by vases from my very own collection.  These are containers you’ll want to keep and reuse again and again.  So, the next time you feel the urge to order flowers, I hope you’ll visit us here:

I know you won’t be disappointed!

Times Square on a Monday morning. Look! There I am on an electronic billboard!

This is the exterior of the NASDAQ MarketSite.

This is the main hall of the interior of the building. It's so ultra-modern.

These are various executives and members of the new flower team.

Bruce Aust - Executive VP of NASDAQ, Jim McCann - CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.com, myself - holding the NASDAQ crystal commemorative gift, and Chris McCann - President of 1-800-FLOWERS.com.

Everyone looking on while I ring the bell. It really is a thrill!

This is Elizabeth Meisel from Louisville, Kentucky. She was so upset that her camera battery ran out, so we posed with her and will be sending the photos.

Jim and I gave away many of these lovely little arrangements to the crowd.

Here I am being interviewed by A.J. Calloway from EXTRA TV.

This is a colorful reception area where tasty breakfast snacks and drinks were served

It was a very good start to the week for me and Jim.

Spring Blossom Bouquet in Arts and Crafts Bowl - a reproduction from my daughter, Alexis's collection.

Some of the other beautiful arrangements

Comments

[Linda Gail]

Martha:)
The pictures are marvelous and the flower arrangements exquisite.
I have been to 1-800-FLOWERS many, many times and have looked at the arrangements and plants and dropped about a thousand hints as to what I want for Mother's Day, my birthday, and just because day. I've even made a note to treat myself to an arrangement just because I'm worth it.
Thanks for a peek inside a place like the NASDAQ. It looks so exciting and the building is so beautiful.
Linda Gail

[Rowaida Flayhan]

Dear Martha,
Congratulations!!!
Love your flowers, so beautiful and colorful.
Wish you always good health and success.
God bless
Rowaida

[J. Bond]

C'est magnifique!

[Patia]

Those are really beautiful flower arrangements and vases. (And those giant prints -- amazing! I want one for my living room.)

I'll definitely keep these in mind the next time I'm sending flowers.

[Kathy]

Such beautiful flowers, Martha. Congratulations and good luck on your new venture!
Kathy

[Nan Ashby]

Dear Martha, I'm so glad that I can now order such beautiful bouquets of flowers. My brother's dining room is exquisite. He has a beautiful antique table and on it, he has a silver plateau with an apern on it. He finally got a spring arrangement for it which is artificial. Now we can, for special occasions, order one of your beautiful bouquets. The beauty of this room calls for such. Thanks again for bringing to us the lovely flowers and containers. Nan

[Maureen]

Congratulations on your newest venture. Just looking at these beautiful pictures of all the flowers makes me smile.

[Bill (From Mount Desert Island, Maine)]

Dear Martha,

Hello and greetings from Mount Desert Island! A heartfelt congratulations to you and everyone there at MSLO on your new and exciting venture with 1-800-FLOWERS.com!!

In addition to planting my spring flower and veggie balcony gardens here in Northeast Harbor (I can almost hear Barbra Streisand singing "Hurry, It's Lovely Up Here!" as I type this) 7;^)
I will be purchasing one of your beautiful house plants (perhaps the orchid in the faux bois wooden stump container) so to celebrate and honor the memory of my Mother who passed away last year at this time.

Here's to the promise and rebirth of Spring ... and to all the "Good Things" that you give to (and inspire us all with) all year long! "Happy Spring!"

Warmest best wishes always,
Bill (aka: the "Leaf-Peeping Gnome")

PS Any plans in developing and offering a "Martha Stewart Rose" for us to plant in our gardens?!? (hint, hint) 7;^)

[Floral Fan]

I have many cut flowers in myn house that get replaced every two weeks or so. It would be great if you had a program that would rotate in new arrangements on a bi weekly or so basis...why is it that such a program does not exist??

[KellySchwark.com]

What a wonderful pairing of Martha Stewart and 1800Flowers! Not that long ago, I had read of Jim McCann rise to success, and I can say that I am happy to see him join with you. You are also correct in stating that the containers are "keepers." I will make sure to leave hints for my husband to visit the site for my very FIRST Mother's Day next month!
Best to you and Jim!
Kelly

[Kim Wylie]

Ooooh, no fair! I'm missing you by two weeks! I would have LOVED to be there. How exciting, though. I'm reminded of the disco song "Ring My Bell." ;) Congratulations on the new collaboration. I'm already planning on ordering some of the new flower arrangements to send as gifts for birthdays and certain holidays. Can't wait to see what else may come of this partnership in the future!

[Kim Wylie]

Oh, just noticed the "Serpentine Ivy Topiary." I LOVE IT! Very different in a wonderful way!

[Sherey]

Martha...beautiful flowers and beautiful you looking so happy! Indeed it was a lovely way to start your week! The building is amazing, too and it is nice to have a glimpse inside.

So thanks!

[Brooke & Freeland]

Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!

[Pam]

Dear Martha -
When I read you had rung the bell this morning, it got me thinking how courageous you are and what a survivor. After what you endured because of the "market", for you to return with your head held high, frankly, it brought tears to my eyes. You change my life in little ways each days from organizing tips to crafts and such interesting items of interest. Congratulations on this new opportunity with all the lovely flowers around you!
Pam

[Andrew Ritchie]

Ah, wonderful! The photos are excellent and the venture itself will surely make Martha's Flowers an even more exciting, dependable and familiar part of our lives.

-Andrew

[Pam from California]

Love the outfit Martha you look as refreshing as your flowers. Great to see you ringing the bell again bet it felt exciting to be back! The little gal in the photo with you her smile says it all she was so happy. See how happy you can make people with something so simple as a photo opt!
Congratulations on another new adventure and venture Martha.
Pam from CA
www.myspace.com/marthastewartsplace

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Thank you so much for another beautiful blog! I had read that you would be ringing the opening bell @ NASDAQ and giving away samples of your fantastic flowers a few days ago. How great it is to see these gorgeous photos of the event. You just brought another beautiful sign of spring into my life. Thank you so very much! Jan

[ShopLittleGifts]

Beautiful. Love the arrangements. Now I might shop with 1800 flowers. Before I often thought that there arrangements were just really boring. I love the little porcelain container.

[Paula M.]

Martha,
As always you deliver a gorgeous product. 1-800-FLOWERS will do extrememly well with you aboard. Your flowers arrangements are exquisite!!
Congratulations on your new venture and yes, I agree with Blogger "Pam", you have come the complete circle on the stock exchange. You rang the bell and have success in the Stock Market. Bull---y for you! LOL ;-) Many blessed and fruitful days ahead!
Paula :)

[lisa]

the flowers are so pretty. however, i'm struck by the interesting art in the top and bottom pics of the nsdaq building...their simplicity is a nice foil to the real thing...

[Nan Ashby]

Martha, I saw the 10 finalists in the cupcake contest on your show this morning. They are fantastic. I must say the PawPaw cupcake was my favorite. Hope Sharkey and Francesca don't feel slighted. All the final 10 were great. Wish I could have entered with a Clive cupcake. What fun to see what creative ideas your viewers came up with. Great fun. Nan

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

Hi Martha,

Great news about you new venture with the flowers. It just seems that the flowers go along with such a lovely lady. Growing flowers is such a beautiful hobby for everyone. When spring comes, you peek out to see "what is coming up" from last year.

Wishing you much success with 1/800-Flowers.

Looking forward to buying some.

Joan Fluor, Mason. OH

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

Martha, Just another note, "Floral Fan" had posted a comment about having a program whereas you can order flowers several times per month or whenever you want them. I know they would be fresh and beautiful. Sometimes when you buy them at the grocery store, they do not look too good when you take them out of the package.

And they would be delivered to your home.

Thanks

Joan Fluor, Mason, OH

[Renee Fitzgerald]

You go Martha Stewart!!!