Have you ever thought about this? What if you bumped into someone famous you have admired for years, what would you say if you had a chance? Would you stumble on your words or would you know exactly what you would say? Would it be someone funny, controversial, or someone you share similar interests with?
Who would you choose?
Ding Dong. That’s my doorbell.
MARTHA STEWART IS AT MY DOOR!
I would choose her as the famous person that I would invite to dinner.
She would enter my home with a beautiful bouquet and chocolates – total Martha style. My table would be perfectly set (likely everything new) with 3 wine glasses to the top right of the table setting. One for red wine, one for white wine and one for a water option. I would set the napkin on top of the plate remembering that Martha feels it disrupts the setting and creates unnecessary noise when placing the napkin under the flatware.
I would serve her Seared Scallops with Celery and Golden Raisin Salad and pair the dinner with one of her favorite wines, Racine Chardonnay Pays D’OC – France.
What questions do you ask someone like Martha Stewart?
Here are mock questions I would ask her over dinner. These are not her exact words of course, just information I have learned about her over the years.
T: I tried to become a model at 18 and it flopped. When did you start?
M: I started modeling at 15, and into my early 20's to pay for College.
T: How did you learn all you know from cooking to running an empire?
M: My mother taught me the basics of cooking to sewing. My father introduced me to gardening at the age of three. I earned a bachelor’s degree in history and architectural history at Barnard College and then became a stockbroker on Wall Street where I learned business training. I then moved to Westport, Connecticut, in 1972, and opened a catering business. I began publishing cookbooks from there.
T: I hear you are a short sleeper like me? I also hear you always sleep with the light on?
M: I get approximately 4 hours a sleep a day, that is true. I leave the light on so when I do wake up, I get immediately right back to work.
T: What did you to celebrate that day at the New York Stock Exchange, when your stock tripled in value and you became an instant billionaire?
M: I served cupcakes, croissants and everything homemade on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange that day.
T: Is it true you change your bedsheets every day? I might get around to doing mine once a week.
M: Yes, that is true. It is a true luxury.
T: During your time in prison, what advice did you hand out that may shock us all?
M: While in prison, they told me to put on newspapers to protect myself from getting stabbed. I said, “Why not use my magazines? They’re a little bit thicker.’”
T: How was the food in prison, I cannot imagine it was very good?
M: The food was unacceptable. I collected crab apples from the grounds at the prison and made jam from them.
T: I am asked all the time about decorating from my friends. Sometimes I worry about upsetting them. What is your advice on this?
M: I learned a long time ago, to never criticize, only compliment. There will always be something to compliment, even if the decorating is awful.
T: I enjoy entertaining, and always want my guests to leave happy. What is your best advice?
M: Pay attention to your guest. Interact and listen to them. Feed them great food and wine.
T: I'm a homebody. Part of my lifestyle business is centered around making people's home's more pleasant and comforting. I connect to your brand so much because of this. How did you create your brand so well centered around home?
M: I call it cocooning. It’s about making your home as pleasant as you can, a home where you want to spend time with your family.
T: I want to do it all. I want to build my small company into something much bigger, plus also have a beautiful home, travel and most importantly spend time with my family. Is it possible to have it all?
M: Tracy, you can have it all. I do. I built an empire doing just so. I have a beautiful family, many homes and gardens. I practice what I preach, so important.
T: How did you become friends with Snoop Dog of all people?
M: It was weird chemistry that just worked. We are such good friends now. I invited him to guest appearances on my Martha Stewart Show, and in one episode, Snoop hinted about one of his favorite things—a.k.a. marijuana. So, he and I baked delicious brownies using a secret ingredient. We had a spark for sure, and we both agreed to do a weekly half-hour cooking talk show on VH1, afterward.
I included a fun video of this: https://youtu.be/pubH1prBf84
I would choose Martha Stewart because she is the original gangster of all things home, cooking and lifestyle. She has paved the way for everyone today. I relate to her brand and respect that even when she was knocked down – she made lemonade out of it.
I think the thing I like the most about her is her motivation and going after what she wants.
Cheers, Martha!
Maybe one day we will get to meet.
Live simple, love your space
Tracy x