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

[Jon]

Martha,
What a truly exciting day for you.
Honestly. . .I can't tell which is more beautiful, you or the flowers.
Very happy for you.

[Joseph Brennan]

Martha

When you went to Alderson a few years ago and made a conscious decision to put the past behind you and move forward, I kept telling people that God would bless you for it and that you would come back bigger and more prosperous than ever. What an understatement!

God is good! You are living proof of that and it shows on your face.

Wow! What a difference a few short years can make.

Joseph Brennan

[Tracy Anselment]

Martha, I would like to say thanks for always trying something new! I am the Martha in my crowd of family and friends and I thank you for being such a great inspiration. Tracy

[Dottie R, Maine]

Martha, I have been trying to find a candy for 50 years. We first got it on Main St in Portland at an resturant that had a candy counter. It was, white chocklet or coffee, round with a pecan in the center.I loved them but havent seen them since. Can you help? Dottie

[Emily A]

I'm sure anyone would be delighted to receive one of these beautiful arrangements, including myself!

[Joy Haviland]

Dear Ms Martha,
From the age of about 5yrs, my mother taught me to make just about anything a girl would want. In the village that is. Then I came to United States and quickly my friends made me feel like I was doing only what old ladies in nursing home do. Recently, I have found myself going back to those old arts that only old people do. At the age of 39, I find such joy in making little flowers for my daughters outfits. I would love for you to see what I have made and even encourage women out there to not let go of their art skill just because their friends think it is old fashioned. I would love to be a guest on your show. I would love to share my talents. That is the one thing my heart desires today.
I love your show and have learned a lot of good things from you. Including how to hold your head up in times of testing. May God be with you.

Joy

[Andrea and the Weimaraners]

From Some Sparrows on a Fence in Nutley, New Jersey --------

Remembering that little girl having her breakfast cereal in the kitchen. We see she's taken her life to spectacular heights, again, and as always.

Love,
All of us

[Bettyk]

Martha,
Thanks so much for taking us with you on your exciting adventures, on the farm bathing the donkeys, and all the great things you write each day.

You are giving us such an education and insight into many areas of interest.

Keep up the great work.

[Sandra Cogger]

Hi Martha

Could you tell me where I can buy the garden pots you use on your t.v. show drab grey colour ones?
Thanks

Sandra

[Norine]

Hi Martha,
I got the notice from 1-800-FLOWERS last week that you would be joing forces. I was thrilled! The collection is absolutely gorgeous. Will be ordering soon...probably for me!!
Norine

[Candy bilinsky]

I send flowers to my daughter for her birthday. I send them to the school where she teaches -- it's exciting for her as well as her students and fellow teachers. This year I upgraded to one of your arrangements. She is wild for purple of any shade. So I sent her you arrangement in shades of lavender. She said she has never seen anything packaged so well or so beautiful. The flowers did not arrive on the requested date, unfortunately. But they were so well packaged that they were still mgnificent, even day old.