Martha's New "Everything Pressure Cooker" Available November 7

"Martha Stewart's Pressure Cooker" book has been out for a few weeks now and those who enjoy cooking using this method will likely find the book to be a beautiful (and useful) addition to your cookbook library. Most of the recipes require using the appliance itself while others do not: recipes that complement the main courses. On November 7th, you'll also be able to purchase Martha's first ever cooking appliance! The Martha Stewart Everything Pressure Cooker will be available via Amazon and QVC. This 8-quart appliance is hard working with 14 programmable settings that cooks your food up to 70% faster. You can slow cook, saute, and steam; make yogurt and cereal; keep food warm, and so much more. Also included is are a cooking rack, serving spoon, rice measuring cup and a selection of Martha-approved recipes. If you don't have a pressure cooker yet, Martha's might be a good one to start with!

Martha's Halloween Products on Amazon

Martha has always loved Halloween. Every year she goes all out in decorating her home, inside and out, to celebrate the festivity. The editors and designers at Martha Stewart Living are also passionate about Halloween and have designed an inspired collection of decorations and paper crafts for Amazon.com to help you celebrate!

The Martha Stewart Store on Amazon recently launched its Halloween products, which are available in three different categories: paper crafts, clings and silhouettes and décor. Click here to visit the store.

Package your Halloween goodies in special paper treat boxes, which you can seal with Halloween-motif washi tape. Include an ominous note written on eerie stationery. Wine labels and stickers are also available.

Under siege: giant moths, wicked bats and creepy spiders can fill your rooms to evoke the most sinister atmosphere. Wall clings, decals and window silhouettes come in a variety of styles and sizes.
Festoon your mantel or buffet table with a variety of scary decorations, from paper bunting to backlit luminaries. There's even a giant paper chandelier with a Gothic bat motif.

The October Issue

On this, the official last day of summer, I thought it was time to blog about the October issue, which has been on newsstands for over a week now. When I first saw the cover I was really enchanted: I love how it is styled and how elegant those jack-o-lanterns look with a carved fox and hare: probably the best cover yet this year!

Inside the issue, the delight continues. The Good Things section is devoted entirely to Halloween, with tips and ideas for costumes, treats and spirited decorating. Martha shows us how she uses the abundance of apples on her farm to make apple cider. (Speaking of apples, the apple sundae recipe on page 90 is a must-try). There is a very interesting feature about how pumpkins are auctioned off each year at a big pumpkin bazaar in Pennsylvania to retailers who sell them at their stores. A decorating feature about achieving a modern-vintage look at home feels fresh in an October issue and a food spread all about peppers yielded some yummy-looking delights. There's the pumpkin-decorating feature alluded to on the cover and a great feature on making doughnuts at home. The issue flows really nicely and it's one I've referenced a few times since I've had it. It's on newsstands now and very much worth a read.

The New Book by William Abranowicz

One of my favourite home features in Martha Stewart Living appeared in the 2003 September issue: Snapshots of Home. The article, written by Mimi Read, details the renovation of a ranch-style home in upstate New York owned by photographer William Abranowicz. The photographs for the feature are, of course, by Abranowicz himself and portray a home filled with style and a deep love for his family.

Abranowicz has been working with Martha Stewart Living as a freelance photographer since the magazine was founded in 1990: he shot the features The Family Kitchen and Holiday Desserts in the very first issue of the magazine, as well photographs for the Good Things section. He still photographs for the magazine to this day!

His new book comes out next week on September 11th. American Originals profiles the homes of Americans with a very definite sense of style. Some of the homes portrayed in the book belong to American celebrities, such as Bette Midler and Ellen DeGeneres. Some belong to everyday Americans, such as Stephen Earle and his partner. (Earle was once a style editor at Martha Stewart Living). Martha, of course, is also featured in the book. Photographs of her Bedford kitchen are included. Below are some photos from the book. I'm certainly going to be picking up a copy!

The new book by photographer William Abranowicz, American Originals, will be published next Tuesday, September 11th.

A photograph by Abranowicz of Martha's kitchen in Bedford featuring her copper collection.

The New York apartment of Stephen Earle is featured. I just love that staircase!

The living room in Bette Midler's summer retreat in upstate New York.

The sitting room at the home of Sean Scherer, an antiques dealer in the Catskills.

A gallery in the home of Valerie von Sobel, a philanthropist in Beverly Hills.

Click here to order the book on Amazon.

Click here to watch Abranowicz give a photography tutorial on Martha's show.

Martha Stewart Weddings Special Issue, Fall 2018

While Martha Stewart Weddings may have ceased quarterly publication, the editors did promise at least one annual special issue of the magazine for newsstand release. The first debuts this week! The special issue is not a huge departure from the quarterly magazine we came to know and love; there are still articles on dresses, flowers and stationery with a seasonal focus. There are still Good Things. This special issue has a more prominent focus on destination weddings but if you need a good hit of the magazine that once was, this beautiful issue will satiate your craving. It's on newsstands now. (Get it soon because you're unlikely to see another print edition until next summer or fall!)