Save a Meal, Save a Farm

When life gives you a ton of heirloom tomatoes, make sauce!  Beekman 1802 has done just that, and it's sauce with a purpose. 

Brent and Josh, from Beekman 1802 are introducing the "Mortgage Lifter" Heirloom Tomato Pasta Sauce today on their website.  This is the first in a new line of food products from the farming duo.

In an email announcement, Brent and Josh explained how this new food line will assist other farmers:

"When we won "The Amazing Race," we promised in every interview that we would develop a food line with the winnings that would help American small farms pay off their mortgages, just like "The Amazing Race" helped us pay off our own.

And we're crazy-excited to announce that the first product will be officially released tomorrow - our "Mortgage Lifter Heirloom Tomato Pasta Sauce." 25% of the profits will be given each year to one or more American farmers struggling to pay their mortgage. The remaining  75% will go right back into developing new products."

You can order the new sauce on line.  The more you order, the more you save!  Price cuts are available for larger quantities. 

Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Wall Manager

Keeping organized is always a challenge and I'm always interested in new products that assist me in my organizing efforts.  When I learned of the new Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery "Wall Managers" I knew it would be an asset to our home office and fit the need for an entryway space where we tend to place keys, mail, etc. 

 

 

Available in chalk white or graphite black, the wall managers have individual accessories to customize the board(s) to fit your personal needs.  The base product is the accessory board that utilizes a click+lock system for drawers, letter bins, caddies, shelves, clips, hooks, and more.  Each board has a built in "level" system to make the wall manager is mounted level on any wall surface. 

 

With additional cork board, and magnetic dry-erase boards, you can design your own personal wall manager that works for YOU.  

 

 

For our entry, I put together a design that will serve as a communication command center, holding everything from mail, keys, invitations, notes, etc.  

 

Also new this spring, are Message Boards in a classic Martha flourish shape.  These lightweight message boards are made of cork with colorful borders in either Martha blue or black.  Each board comes with mounting squares that will easily mount to any flat, dry, clean surface. 

 

The Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery product line, available exclusively at Staples,  will have many new products this spring, including an expanded selection of removable dry-erase decals, flourish chalkboard decals, a variety of chalkboard labels and much, much more. 

 

Many Staples stores are in the process of stocking their shelves with the new wall manager items and other stock as part of the spring reset for the line.  You can view the wall manager system on the staples website. 

First Look: Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook

America's favorite farmers,  Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge have teamed up once again with the talented Sandy Gluck, for their newest book, "The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Dessert Cookbook" due to reach booksellers in September of this year. 

September?! September?!  Yes, we have a growing season wait for the release, but it's good to have something to look forward to! 

This companion to their first release, "The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook" features 100 dessert recipes from the farm and garden and is beautifully photographed by Paulette Tavormina.  If the photograph on the cover is any indication of what is on the inside, readers are in for a true visual treat.  I'm quite taken with the cover.  I'd love to have that print in my kitchen! 

We'll all be so busy in our gardens this year, September will be here before we know it! 

Mad Hungry Cravings and Spurtle Envy

What do you crave?  Is it a traditional dish made by your Grandmother?  Is it a family favorite that only Mom could make?  Is it that great grab and go meal from the take-out joint?  Cravings.  We all have them and thanks to Lucinda Scala Quinn, those cravings can easily be taken care of at home, in your own kitchen, made with your own two hands. 

Mad Hungry Cravings will be available at your favorite bookseller on March 19^th.  This 300 page plus cookbook is chocked full of recipes that will soon be what you’re craving for.  Lucinda covers everything from breakfast to dinner with good food that is perfect any time of day.

While March 19^th isn’t too far away, fans and friends of Mad Hungry who can’t wait (I’m one of those people…) will be able to order Mad Hungry Cravings from QVC on Sunday, February 24^th at 1pm.  Lucinda will be on the air sharing recipes and more during the popular “In the Kitchen” segment on the shopping network. 

But wait!  That’s not all!

Tune into QVC on the 24^th and viewers will be able to purchase for the very first time, the official Mad Hungry branded spurtles!   Lucinda gave her Facebook friends and sneak peek at the spurtles several weeks ago as part of the upcoming Mad Hungry product line.  I assure you, the spurtle will quickly become one of your favorite kitchen tools! 

Photo courtesy of Lucinda Scala Quinn

Are you Mad Hungry?  Your wait is almost over.  

Read my 2010 interview with Lucinda Scala Quinn here. 

MarthaPantry Launch Slated for April 2013

Several weeks ago, the JCP gave web visitors the first look (and hint) at the new product line from Martha Stewart, "MarthaHome." The splash page was not much in itself, given the pending court battle with Macy's over exclusive rights to Martha Stewart branded products in certain home categories.  That trial is set to begin this week, on February 20th. 

In recent interviews, JCP CEO, Ron Johnson shared a little insight, stating that there were many categories that were not exclusive to Macy's including window treatments, soft flooring, celebrations (a line of party/celebration supplies), and pantry goods.  Johnson went on to share that JCP was on target to open their new Martha Stewart stores (within a store) in May, 2013.  JCP will be unveiling an entirely made over home department in their stores at that time. 

Today, the JCP website was updated with confirmation (of sorts) that the first products to be introduced to consumers will be MarthaWindow, coming in March; MarthaCelebrations, coming in March; and the new MarthaPantry line of packaged food items.  As noted on the website, MarthaPantry will be available online and in stores beginning in April. 

Living Reduces Publication Frequency

It's a sign of the times.  Martha Stewart Living will decrease publication frequency this year, with a combined July/August issue according to the editorial calendar available in the 2013 media kit. 

With declining ad pages, and a downturn in circulation throughout the magazine industry, it comes as no surprise to see the decrease.  I'd rather see MSLO decrease frequency rather than cease publication of its flagship magazine all together! 

Despite the decrease,  Martha Stewart Living continues to publish more issues than most shelter/home magazines who average 10 per year.  The 2013 reduction will take Martha Stewart Living to 11 yearly issues. 

MSLO introduced the first August issue in 2001.   

"Mad Hungry" Returns to the Hallmark Channel

If you're a fan of "Mad Hungry" (and who isn't?), REJOICE!  Beginning Monday, January 21, "Mad Hungry" is returning to the Hallmark Channel!  The show will air from 1-2pm eastern.  Lucinda made the announcement on the "Mad Hungry" Facebook page on Friday. 

Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Expansion

The highly successful Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line continues to expand with a  new line of briefcases, laptop bags, tablet sleeves, carry-all totes, and wristlets. 

Available in a variety of Martha Stewart inspired colors, all pieces in the expanded line are made of durable, easy to clean materials. 

 

The slim-fit tablet sleeve provides protection for your iPad or other comparable sized tablet device.  The snap closure also doubles as a pull-tab to remove your tablet from the sleeve.

 

Stylish and functional, the tote comes in a variety of colors and in two sizes. 

The tablet cover also doubles as a stand, for vertical or horizontal viewing

 

The smaller carry-all tote

The laptop bags are available in a variety of sizes and colors to protect laptops from 14-17"

 

The tablet sleeve in the Walnut color is particularly attractive.

Great for storing all your small accessories in one place, the wristlet will keep your phone, keys, cosmetics and more safe and dry. 

Examples of laptop bags in Martha blue and Walnut. 

 

The small laptop tote is the perfect size to hold a standard 15" screen computer.  Inside pockets keep your laptop safe while allowing room for other belongings.

 

The laptop briefcase has room for everything you need for an office on the go!

 

Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery is available only at Staples stores or online at Staples.com.