Martha Stewart Living



Sue's Pre-Ramble

I am an avid fan of Martha and hope that she emerges from her current legal straits unscathed. I first subscribed to Martha Stewart Living when I worked outside the home and missed the television show. Let's face it -- Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is one of the most efficient corporations in the world. Every article in Martha Stewart Living is tied to a segment (or more)on television and radio, and a web page. Nothing is wasted. Once enough articles on a particular topic (check out the new "Best of Martha Stewart Living-Halloween") are published in the magazine, a book is put together and sold in the magazine, on television (three separate programs), radio, in the mail-order catalog, and on the web. Martha has enough decorating and homekeeping product lines that she can feature one of her products in nearly every article. But it never hits me as obtrusive or heavy handed. Why? Because Martha sells me a quality of life that I crave. I will never have a house that looks or even smells like hers, but I have learned enough "good things" from Martha over the years to at least know what I want someday. Every month, my mind is refreshed with beautiful photography, luscious looking food, and gorgeous gardens. Recently, my absolutely favorite magazine, "Victoria" bit the big one. Now I rely almost entirely on Martha Stewart Living for my inspiration in home arts.


Subscribing/Cost

The cost to subscribe to Martha Stewart Living for one year, twelve monthly issues, is $28.00, the single issue price is $4.75. There are usually several subscription cards in each magazine, or you can subscribe online at marthastewart.com. The current issue (September, 2003) has 218 pages, including the front and back covers. Of those, 94 pages (and cover) were advertisements, or 44%. Most ads were full-page or multi-page, very few were half page or less. An interesting note -- thirteen of the advertising pages were for Martha Stewart and/or KMart's - Martha Stewart Everyday collection. All in all, far less advertising than say, Ladies Home Journal.


Regular Features

Martha started it, Oprah adapted it, Rosie spoofed it. Now Martha Stewart Living is changing one of its signature features - the monthly calendar. Reading the calendar always felt a little voyeuristic--like reading Martha's personal diary. Oh, I know when it said on the calendar square for the10th to dust the bookcases, that it really meant "have the staff dust the bookcases." But it felt good to see that even people like Martha might have dust. Martha's calendar is now called "gentle reminders" and all the items have been pulled off the calendar grid and into colored text boxes, and the calendar has been shrunk. The gentle reminders for September include inspecting furnace and chimney, organizing closets to make room for new school clothes, and planting new perennials among others (how does she have time to run an empire with all these chores? Oh yeah, I forgot - the staff..) I have a feeling that any magazine feature that is specifically tied to Martha may change, especially depending on her legal standing.

The rest of the regular features include:

Editor's Letter
Ask Martha - people ask Martha, but her staff answers
On the Web - highlights of web offerings
Dessert of the Month - a new and delicious delight each month
Clip Art Craft - photocopy from the mag or download from the web
Celebrating - in September - celebrate Labor Day
Good Things - in September - customizing a welcome mat with the house address
Easy Entertaining - it's a party with menu, time plan, and decor ideas
Food - seasonal cooking, what's for dinner, fit to eat, recipe cards
Project - in September - turning French doors into a dividing screen
Decorating - in September - how to give surfaces the look of bamboo using paint
Healthy Living - in September - water filtering options
Television Guide - Martha Stewart Living, Martha's Home, and Martha's Kitchen
Do You Know - a page of interesting facts relating to the cover articles
The Recipes - complete recipes for items mentioned in articles
Recipe Index - an index of recipes in this issue
Omnimedia Guide - a listing of TV and radio stations by state
Workbook - specific directions for items in an article on displaying mirrors
The Guide - a list, by article, of where to get items used
Remembering - an essay of Martha's memories - this month - laundry

In This Month's Issue

The September, 2003 issue arrived on August 19. The major theme for this issue is decorating, with cover articles that include: "fresh greens," "snapshots of home," "living with collections," "good clean fun," and "testing ground." Since I've been seriously considering redecorating our bathroom in green, I am particularly drawn to "fresh greens."

What I Like Best

The one feature I like best about Martha Stewart Living is that each month I find an oasis. About halfway through the issue is a page devoted to the current month. It is the portal to the next 40-50 pages of cover articles. These pages lack advertising, are filled with beautiful full-color photographs that enhance the text, and often the articles follow a theme. I usually flip through this section once, just to get a visual flow, then go back and read the articles. I slip into this section for an afternoon and emerge refreshed, able to handle everyday life once again. It's the feeling I get from walking in the park, watching the sunrise, or eating the perfect piece of peach pie. All is right with the world.

What I Hate

As helpful as Martha Stewart Living magazine is, I have to admit that their "before" pictures are far better than my "after" results. Homekeeping is a lot of work and many of the skills are learned through experience, not just reading. Sigh.

Final Recommendation

Sue's Acid Test -- what happens to this magazine when I'm finished reading it? Martha Stewart Living is one of my few magazines that I keep totally intact! I can't bear to part with any of it. My Martha Stewart Living collection is close at hand and I enjoy re-reading them.


If you liked this review check out my other magazine reviews --

Country Discoveries


Ladies Home Journal


Poets and Writers

Recommended: Yes