Living Magazine by Martha Stewart April 2013 Issue Review

For those of you who may not know, I am a magazine fiend.

One of my many subscriptions is Living by Martha Stewart.

I have a complicated relationship with her.

She is my hero / anti-hero ; my idol / my nemesis.

I take the mick out of her at times and have teased her on the blog as well.

But it is all in good fun.

I did go through the March Issue of Living but to be honest, there was nothing to share and it wasn't very inspiring and very "Martha".

This was the March cover without the verbage.

But she sure made up for it in the April Issue.

For a Living cover, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. 

Where was the Martha-esque bling?

But I must say she made up for it between the sheets.

There was so much to file for future reference.

I am not sure if it is the natural "hope springs eternal" inclination but the interest for anything in bloom was in contrast to the harsh Arctic winds I came back home to.

My eyes were burning holes into the following feature.

It encompassed not only flowers, but the landscape of a nieghborhood plus future travel options all in one.

I think the title say sit all.

I love how this article shows that a community / street coming together results in a fine example of mass is greater than the sum of its parts theory.  If just the one had a fantastic display but the others had tarmac, well, needless to say.

I have a wonderful neighbour that has made our street so much more cheerful by encouraging everyone to plant flowers

and tending to plants boxes of those who are away

 for over a certain length of time. 

She really has made such a difference to the ambience of the street and so I looked at this article with a greater appreciation of those who must enjoy living on this street. Not only for the visual effects but the comraderie it takes to create a defined neighborhood through communal efforts.   

There was a show by Sarah Beeney a few years ago that was about a street in London.  It was called Streets Ahead.  It was about a drab street being made over with little renovations such as painting doors and generally sprucing up the exterior of each house. 

Regardless of what you may think of her ( people do seem to have strong opinions about her...), I thought she did a great job demonstrating the importance of community and a group project for solidifying the bond between neighbours. It was also financially beneficial for the residents. The value of the houses were 10 % higher than streets nearby due to the street makeover.

If I am ever in the San Francisco area, I am definitely going to be going on the tour as recommended above. 

The garden theme was continued with a great tag.

 Writers. Tick.

 Gardens. Tick.

Pioneering women. Tick.

Future travel wishlist. Tick.

 Trellises and roses.

If I ever have a proper garden,  am going to get me one of those.
I do have 4 rose bushes in my plant and window boxes already.
They make up most of my "garden".

 I might be quiet and let you view in peace for a bit.

 Edna seems like my kind of gal.  Thanks to this article I am going to get her books...

 Did not know Ms Wharton had so many other talents...

This was a feature on Passover entertaining.

 I just had to share this image with you as

I found it so mind seeringly stunning.

 I need to find some apricot hued tulips - NOW.

 Well, it is only natural that the April issue was going to do

 a feature on decorative eggs.

There was a tutorial how to craft the eggs that were on the cover.

But the problem for me is that not only do you have to make the eggs but then you gotta make the egg drying rack...

Ain't gonna happen.

But if you want the tutorial section - email me and I will be happy to send you the section if you want to make in time for Easter.

I was very happily reading the issue but was wondering in the back of my mind - where is that slightly neurotic, totally unachievable, Willy Wonka style of crafting that is Martha Stewartism?

Then there it was.

That's my girl...

 She went through her Easter basket over the years...

Now I did notice that a few years were missing on her nostalgic tour of her past handiwork.

 She skips 2002, 2003, and 2004.

I suppose they were her eggs' annus horribilis.

I am going to try and google them because I want to know what she is hiding.

This year's basket!

After all that, she dared insert the following!

Oh Martha...

I hope this inspires you with your egg basket!

Happy holidays everyone xx

All photos from Living Magazine April 2013