Another Whirlwind Day on my Book Tour
Yesterday, I gave you a taste of what we did during my book tour in California on Wednesday in the Los Angeles area. The day before that, I posted a blog about my visit to the Google Headquarters in Mountain View, which occurred last Friday. Today, I will cover some of what took place on Thursday of the book tour and to confuse you a bit, I will also jump to Saturday morning after waking up in San Francisco!
1 We stayed at The Montage Beverly Hills, where there are always exquisite floral arrangements in the lobby. I loved this stunning feast for the eyes in brilliant yellow.
2 Before our busy day began on Thursday, we went out for a brisk walk around this Beverly Hills neighborhood.
3 I mentioned my friend, Wolfgang Puck, in yesterday's blog and this is Spago Beverly Hills, his fabulous flagship restaurant right on North Canon Dr.
4 Window shopping for inspiration - These sterling silver geranium leaves are handcrafted in Italy by the skilled artisans of Buccellati.
5 More beautiful silver leaves
6 Club Monaco is a fun store to shop in and is best known for classic black and whit styles.
7 Beverly Hills is usually a bustling place, except for these peaceful early morning hours.
8 It was back to the Montage Hotel, where I met up with Daisy for hair and makeup, before leaving for my first appointment.
9 After dressing for the day and checking out of the hotel, look who I ran into!
10 I was given a very warm welcome at Williams-Sonoma
11 This pretty cake from Susie Cakes was waiting for me. https://www.susiecakes.com/
12 A very retro logo
13 There was also an assortment of cupcakes baked by Wonderland Custom Cakes. wonderlandcustomcakes.com
14 Wonderland was a recent winner of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. This assortment pack of comic book-themed cupcakes were the winners.
15 Wonderland logo
16 It was a beautiful October Day for the people waiting in line.
17 These gals (Kelly Wedbush, Cami Wedbush, and Dianna Pieper) were very enthusiastic and strong, I might add! That's quite a stack of heavy books.
18 Williams-Sonoma had its start in 1956 in Sonoma, CA by Chuck Williams. He began selling professional and restaurant-quality kitchenwares for home use.
19 This store was also the first gourmet kitchen boutique in the US to sell quality cookware from France.
20 Meeting, greeting, and signing
21 This was a really fun crowd!
22 This woman brought her well-worn original Entertaining book and showed me one of her favorite party foods in it - salmon mousse. I think I'll make it for my next party.
23 Here I am with Daisy and Susan leaving Williams Sonoma.
24 I stopped by The Grove to chat with 'Extra's' Maria Menounos.
25 Maria asked me about my new book, 'Martha's Entertaining, A Year of Celebrations.'
26 I explained that this 6-pound book is a very personal account of how I entertain. I can teach people nice things from big to little.
27 I talked about the process of making the book and that it took four years to create.
28 We also discussed my appearance on Jay Leno and I said that he is a very interesting and funny man. When he comes backstage, he's in a jean shirt, blue jeans, and he's really cute. Why does he change into a suit?
29 A nice shot with Maria Menounos
30 This fellow was taking video, but he was not on the crew of 'Extra.' I wonder what he did with the footage?
31 Smile!
32 Our next stop was Macy's Costa Mesa.
33 My book was prominently displayed along with my brand new 10-piece Professional Series Tri Ply Cookware. The pots have extra-long handles, which can rest against your forearm for easier lifting. They're great!
34 Sarah Carey and I prepared seafood stew from my Pro Cookware Booklet. We showed how to make the perfect rice from my Cooking School book. And from Martha's Entertaining, we demoed glazed carrots and a pear crostata.
35 I talked a bit about having the right tools for the job and showed a few essentials from my Macy's line, like this slotted fish turner.
36 Following the cooking demo, I met the crowd who came to get a signed copy of my new book.
37 I signed each book with one of my favorite must-haves, a Le Pen felt-tip pen in green ink to complement the book cover.
38 I was happy to see that so many men came through the line.
39 There was even a well-decorated Boy Scout Junior Assistant Scoutmaster!
40 Do you need to shop for some special holiday gifts?
41 At Macy's Gifts From Our Stars, you can find wonderful products from your favorite designers. Here's my department for that.
42 My gadget collection at Macy's is pretty amazing.
43 Kevin and I love visiting Macy's to see how our products are displayed.
44 Having some fun!
45 There are wonderful colors in my plush and absorbent towel collection.
46 The towels before me are my Brick Lane bath towels - a decidedly modern statement with a bold medallion motif.
47 Posing with Macy’s Costa Mesa employees
48 On Saturday morning, we were in San Francisco, and Sarah and I conducted a cooking demo at the Macy's there. We made braised chicken and dates, a citrus cilantro couscous, sautéed spinach with garlic, and a pear crostata.
49 Sarah showed the crowd how fast and easy it is to make pastry dough in a food processor. You just combine all the ingredients and pulse for 16-seconds. The dough is perfectly flaky - there is no excuse not to make it this way!
50 The audience was warm and engaging.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Wow, Martha!!! Do you ever slow down?
I like that flower display in photo one, also.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 11th, 2011 at 1:29 am
Wonderful pictures and whirlwind tours don't confuse me but might if I woke up in San Francisco. A Book tour must be the greatest event one could ever participate in. This blog is the best and everyone in audience is blessed by your teaching about LIVING
Posted by: ann | November 11th, 2011 at 3:13 am
Hi Martha Best of luck and success in your book signing tours, I just wish I can attend one of these great events. Beautiful flower arrangement at the Montage Beverly Hills. Love the display showing your products I would love to visit Macy's. Wish you a wonderful weekend and Happy 11.11.11
Regards
Posted by: Rowaida Fl | November 11th, 2011 at 5:37 am
Williams-Sonoma and Macy's, two of my favorite stores! Martha's products from Macy's make great christmas gifts. I give them every year and everyone who receives them are pleased. Can I say I love the shoes you're wearing in the pictures. Tre chic!!
Posted by: Cindy F | November 11th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Martha, what a nice time it looked like you had on your trip to CA. How wonderful to have ran into Oprah. What are the odds? Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | November 11th, 2011 at 10:14 am
I agree with lady who likes the salmon mousse from the original entertaining. I have made it more times than I can count. My sister absolutely adores it and asks me to make it whenever she has something at her house. I believe the recipe in the original Entertaining had the mousse being piped into seeded cherry tomatoes. I believe that was on option. That is how I have always served it and it is a hit every time. And not a complicated recipe to make. I agree - the salmon mousse is extraordinary.
Posted by: John Newman | November 11th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Hi Martha,
It’s a good thing you enjoy traveling and being in crowds because you certainly take on a lot in just one day. I’m just the opposite – if I see a crowd I go the other way! I think I need to make a couple of copies of picture #41, one for my sister and the other for my son and maybe this year they will take the hint, meaning I’m a Martha fan remember? One year I did mention a few hundred times that you used a nice Rowenta iron on your show and my son bought me one. Maybe I’ll throw a few hints this year about your cookware with the nice long handles and then I can keep my Macy’s charge card at a zero balance. It can’t hurt to try. I like the Brick Lane bath towels too.
~
Thanks for sharing your California stay with us and I look forward to reading about Illinois and Kansas. It was good to see Kevin again as your traveling companion. You kidded one time that he was great for holding packages for you but I’m also convinced he is a wonderful conversationalist and is no doubt very knowledgeable about many things. His blogs are always so creative and interesting and although I don’t always comment, (sometimes error codes come up), I usually take time to read them if I have the time. He is always smiling and happy looking! Have a nice weekend! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 11th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Hi Martha, I finally got my copy of your fantastic latest book, Martha's Entertaining, A Year of Celebrations at our Post Office at 6:45PM last night! For some reason it was not put in my mailbox so had to go get it-guess my box wasn't big enough or it was too dark to bring it up to my house. I called the PO and the manager was sorry and said he would be there until 7PM because I wouldn't have gotten it until Sat.- Veteran's Day today. You have no idea how thrilled I was to finally get it and I absolutely love it-the photos are worth millions!!! I love these photos of your trip to Beverly Hills, etc., to sign your fabulous book! How interesting that the towns are mostly empty in the early morning hours and extremely full of people as the day goes by. All of your fans look so happy to see you and you look happy to meet them!! Lovely photos of you and Oprah and you and Sarah Carey plus you and Kevin seeing many of your collections at Macy's that I just bought a few days ago!!! Hope you had fun in Chicago yesterday and that you have fun in Kansas City today!! Have a great weekend and hope you get some rest! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 11th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Great indoor photos. Which camera did you use?
Posted by: T Santos | November 11th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Hello,
I saw a few comments asking about NYC dates for the tour. Was Bergdorfs the only stop? Would love to see you in Manhattan! Hope I didn't miss any.
Thanks!
Tracey
Posted by: Tracey | November 11th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Best of luck on your book tour-how wonderful! Lovely pictures.
Posted by: carrie | November 11th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Hi Martha,
We loved having you in Kansas City! I hope you enjoyed the BBQ. Love the book and beautiful pictures. Thank you for you coming.
Best wishes and safe travels.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Jones | November 12th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
My dream is to meet you in person one day. Your books and magazines are a great tool to cook and entertain, I can wait to see your new book! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Carmen Benitez | November 12th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Hey, I am Neringa from Lithuania. I work as a TV translator and recently started to translate your "Martha Stewart show". I think its amazing. I wish one day I would be able to come to your show live. I wonder if there are possibilities to win your books if I am living overseas?
Keep up the good work!
Neringa.
Posted by: Neringa | November 13th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Martha,
I always appreciate your sharing so much with us. Your book tour is fascinating. However, I must have been asleep at the switch because I missed you in Chicago! Can't wait to get the book...I'm one of those people with the original "Entertaining" ...and hope to get mine signed in the future! Hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season.
Posted by: PatriceAnnette | November 13th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
I absolutely love the flowers in the hotel in your first photo, also because my favorite color is yellow.
I'm sorry I'm going to miss seeing you while you're in Chicago. I was at one of your book signings when you were here in Winnetka 2 years ago.
I Tivo your shows on the Hallmark channel everyday and have picked up many ideas and tips of yours, so I thank you for that.
I have your new book and love reading it and looking at all the pictures.
I wish I was more like you each day. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Posted by: sherie zucker | November 13th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Your comment about the pen used at a book signing interesting. I was an employee at a hotel where you were doing a book signing in 1991 and you were not at all happy at the "marriott " ballpoint pen we gave you to sign your books with. I was surprised at the time you did not bring your own pen.
Posted by: Missy Pekar | November 14th, 2011 at 8:49 am
Oh my goodness, wouldn't it be nerve wracking to be the one in charge of the Martha Stewart display at Macy's and she comes in and looks around. Just another reason to do a good job everyday.
Posted by: Amy Temple | November 14th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Kevin seems to be popping up everywhere, from the MSL to Martha Entertains. Is he being groomed for a new position?
Posted by: Karl Casey | November 14th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Hi Martha,
I applaud you! Here you are at a net worth of nearly 600 million and yet you still want to connect with us general public. I feel so blessed and fortunate to have met you in SF at the Macy's on 65th birthday at the book signing even.
You have inspired so many people to appreciate homemaking - gardening - and the art of excellence. And I know you will appreciate the small token (handmade beaded bracelet), it makes me feel more than happy to know I was able to give you a little something after you have given us so much. Your book is a masterpiece. Thanks Martha for ALL, Sue Cox
Posted by: Sue Cox | November 14th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
loved your outfit taupe vest, cream blouse,and looks to be black leather leggings on your great legs!!!!!you go girl!!!!
Posted by: lynn | November 15th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Hi Martha,
You have my full admiration for everything you do. Sorry for that I post here a request, but I did not know what else to do. I want to prepare Darkest Chocolate Crepe Cake recipe, but I did not handle the quantities of ingredients used are in the cup. Could you help me telling me amounts in grams?
I mention that I am European and therefore may not be familiar with that way of assessing the quantity required.
All my gratitude and all the best
Posted by: Emilia | November 15th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Dear Martha, Wish I could have gone to any of your book signings but due to side effects from chemo radiation and brain and bladder surgery, Stage 4 bladder cancer that metastisized to the brain) I do not get to go to too many places. Watch your show 2 times every day (just in case I missed something. Just love it!!!! Was wondering if you could do a show where you could show us how to make really FAST good looking and healthy meals. The reason I say fast because with chemo and radiation we cannot stand in the kitchen very long because of extreme fatique. Eberyone tells us what is good for us to eat but we do not have that much energy to prepare it. It would make a lot of us feel a lot more productive again maybe. Like using your juicer maybe? I would love to come to New York and just attend one show?? How long in advance do you need to get tickets? It might be a while before I can afford the ticket due to my medical bills but I most certainly will drop hints to let my family know that that might be a nice thing for a christmas present if they all chipped in. Hope this might be an idea for a show!! Thank you for all the joy you bring us every day!!!!!!! Love Henny Tholkes
Posted by: Henny Tholkes | November 16th, 2011 at 8:05 pm