What Would Martha Do
Move Over, Martha.
Imagine for a second… Julie & Julia but make it Mandy & Martha.
This isn't a copycat project. I'm not trying to become Martha Stewart (I could never—she’s the GOAT). But I am stepping into her beautifully manicured shadow to remix her most iconic concepts in a way that fits real life today.
There’s a catch, though – I’m doing it my way. Because honestly? I’ve watched your shows for years, I’ve bought your books (so many books and magazines), and there’s a disconnect between traditional “domestic goddess” content and the chaotic, peanut-butter-smudged lives most of us are actually living.
I want to use your concepts as jumping off points and modernize them.
No staff. No mansion. No writers. No Rules. Just Real-life.
Just Mandy with a sprinkle of Martha.
My knowledge, chaos, messes and a whole lot fucking lot of MAGIC.
“Julia Child wasn’t always Julia Child” and I will never be Martha (the GOAT) but I know I have what it takes to lead the modern-day Martha’s (not a Handmaid’s Tale reference) as we learn how to navigate the kitchen, our homes, holidays, and social events.
We’re Swapping:
French Cuisine for Top Tier Toddler Dining
Imported Floral Centerpieces for Grocery Store Bouquets + Foraged Greenery
Silk Ribbon-Wrapped Handmade Invitations for Canva Templates + Hand-Tied Twine
Martha’s Monogrammed Pantry Jars for Clear IKEA Containers + Cricut Labels
Why Mandy & Martha?
This series is my ode to Martha’s brilliance—and my bold attempt to modernize it. Each idea will be a jumping-off point. I’ll take on her recipes, crafts, garden hacks, and home tips and give them a 2025 makeover with a dash of Dollar Store, a pinch of chaos, and a whole lot of sarcasm. There are no rules here—just real life.
My Pre-requisites:
I’m here to prove to you why I deserve it.
Granddaughter of a Food Network devotee. I learned to cook before I learned algebra (a fair trade). She lived in the kitchen with Food Network on in the background. By the time I was ten I was friends with Martha, Giada, Emeril, Paula, and so many more. She taught me about everything from canning to stuffing a Turkey.
I had a stay-at-home mom who taught me to sew before I was eight, created epic themed birthday parties on a shoestring budget, and used her crafting skills to bring in extra income by making quilts and holiday wreaths. Eventually, she landed a job at Jo-Ann Fabrics (hello, employee discount!) and transformed our home into a DIY wonderland—complete with a craft closet that rivaled Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe collection.
My dad was an engineer. My dad, who did almost all our household repairs, with two mottos: “always have a plan” and “measure once, cut twice”. He taught me about tools (don’t bring him the wrong one because you will get called out) and troubleshooting.
I learned to cook from cookbooks (yes, actual books) and adapted as Pinterest and now AI are taking the stage.
I own my own photography business, so I can at the very least get some good photos and videos.
I went to school to become a writer – writing and crafts/cooking are two of my biggest passions in life.
I ran major trade shows and did event management for major CPG companies, so I know a thing or two about adapting on the fly and proper etiquette
I’m a single mom – I think fast and spend smart
I’ve got three boys – one set of twins – so if there was any way to make having kids more chaotic, I hit the jackpot
Why Me?
I’ve got a dream in my heart, cupcakes on my counter plus the glue gun scars, and a broken finger from a scroll saw to prove I’ve been through some things.
What This Is—and Isn’t
It’s not perfect. It’s not polished. It’s not Pinterest-perfect.
It’s learning, growing, screwing things up, laughing, and then trying again.
Will I finally grow a tomato that doesn’t immediately die? Maybe.
Will I burn something on day one? Absolutely. I’ve already pulled the fire alarms off the ceiling for easy access.
But through this year-long journey, I’ll prove that modern moms can craft, cook, entertain, and run a household like a boss—without losing their minds or selling their souls to beige aesthetics.
So, here’s to Mandy Modernizes Martha—a year of chaos, creativity, and maybe even mastering a soufflé.
A Love Letter to the OG
Martha, if you're reading this (hi 👋), I grew up watching you. I bought the books, watched the shows, and even through the orange jumpsuit era, I knew you’d come back stronger. You’ve been that girl long before Pinterest was a thing. I just know you whipped up one hell of a Tiramisu with instant coffee with a Canned Peach & Sprite Spritzer from commissary.
So no, I’m not mocking. I’m modernizing. Bridging the gap between the blueprint you gave us and the messy reality we live in now.
And if you ever want to swing by, my door is open. It has a cute homemade wreath on it, but my kitchen does look like a crime scene so a solid 30-minute heads up would be stellar. If you could also see if Snoop is free, I’ll whip up some Gin and Juice!
Legal Note (Because I'm Not Trying to Get Sued):
This series is inspired by and rooted in admiration for the iconic work of Martha Stewart. All ideas will be adapted with original execution, modern commentary, and a fresh take for today's audience. No copyrighted content will be duplicated or misrepresented as my own. This is a love letter, not a lawsuit waiting to happen.
