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 
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
Posted by: Linda Gail | April 8th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Dear Martha,
Congratulations!!!
Love your flowers, so beautiful and colorful.
Wish you always good health and success.
God bless
Rowaida
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | April 8th, 2008 at 2:25 am
C'est magnifique!
Posted by: J. Bond | April 8th, 2008 at 3:20 am
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.
Posted by: Patia | April 8th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Such beautiful flowers, Martha. Congratulations and good luck on your new venture!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | April 8th, 2008 at 5:21 am
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
Posted by: Nan Ashby | April 8th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Congratulations on your newest venture. Just looking at these beautiful pictures of all the flowers makes me smile.
Posted by: Maureen | April 8th, 2008 at 8:38 am
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;^)
Posted by: Bill (From Mount Desert Island, Maine) | April 8th, 2008 at 8:45 am
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??
Posted by: Floral Fan | April 8th, 2008 at 9:23 am
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
Posted by: KellySchwark.com | April 8th, 2008 at 9:52 am
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!
Posted by: Kim Wylie | April 8th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Oh, just noticed the "Serpentine Ivy Topiary." I LOVE IT! Very different in a wonderful way!
Posted by: Kim Wylie | April 8th, 2008 at 10:24 am
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!
Posted by: Sherey | April 8th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Oh Im in love! I will be ordering some of these arrangements!!
Posted by: Brooke & Freeland | April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
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
Posted by: Pam | April 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
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
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | April 8th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
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
http://www.myspace.com/marthastewartsplace
Posted by: Pam from California | April 8th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
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
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
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.
Posted by: ShopLittleGifts | April 8th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Martha,
Many blessed and fruitful days ahead!
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
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. | April 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
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...
Posted by: lisa | April 8th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
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
Posted by: Nan Ashby | April 8th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
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
Posted by: Joan Fluor Mason, OH | April 8th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
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
Posted by: Joan Fluor Mason, OH | April 8th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
You go Martha Stewart!!!
Posted by: Renee Fitzgerald | April 8th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
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.
Posted by: Jon | April 8th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
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
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | April 9th, 2008 at 1:28 am
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
Posted by: Tracy Anselment | April 9th, 2008 at 7:54 am
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
Posted by: Dottie R, Maine | April 9th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I'm sure anyone would be delighted to receive one of these beautiful arrangements, including myself!
Posted by: Emily A | April 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
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
Posted by: Joy Haviland | April 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
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
Posted by: Andrea and the Weimaraners | April 10th, 2008 at 6:28 am
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.
Posted by: Bettyk | April 10th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
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
Posted by: Sandra Cogger | April 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
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
Posted by: Norine | April 12th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
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.
Posted by: Candy bilinsky | April 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm